Last Updated on February 4, 2025 by Jeremy

The Challenge of Fire in the Rain: A Personal Experience

I’ve camped in all kinds of weather—dry prairie winds, humid forests, and even the rain-soaked landscapes of British Columbia and the Yukon. But one of my most challenging nights by far was in the Pacific Northwest after a full day of relentless rain. Everything was soaked, the air was thick with dampness, and the temperature was dropping fast.

There’s something about a fire that changes everything. It’s more than just warmth—it’s survival, it’s comfort, and sometimes, it’s morale. But getting that first flicker of flame to catch when everything is wet? That takes skill, patience, and the right know-how.

Starting a fire in wet conditions isn’t just a luxury—it’s something every outdoor adventurer should know how to do. Whether you’re hiking in the Appalachian Trail, camping in the Alaskan wilderness, or simply setting up in your local backcountry after a rainy day, the ability to get a fire going can make all the difference.

So let’s dive in—not just with step-by-step techniques, but also with practical survival strategies and real-world scenarios where these skills will matter the most.

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Understanding the Challenges of Wet Weather Fire-Starting

If you’ve ever been caught in the rain mid-hike or tried to start a fire after a downpour, or when it just snowed, you already know how difficult it is. Fire needs three things: heat, fuel, and oxygen. When rain and other types of moisture saturate your fuel source, it throws everything off balance.

That’s why so many campers, even experienced ones, struggle in wet conditions. The trick isn’t just finding dry wood—it’s understanding fire behavior and knowing how to work with what you have.

In places like the dense forests of British Columbia or the fog-laden shores of Alaska, the moisture in the air alone can make fire-starting a test of patience. But with a few key strategies, you can beat the rain and get a fire going, no matter where you are.

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Preparation & Safety: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Before you even strike a match or spark a fire steel, preparation is key.

Choose Your Fire Location Wisely

• Look for natural protection—large rock formations, tree canopies, or even a hollowed-out log.
• Avoid low-lying areas where water pools. If it’s still raining, you’ll want a tarp or poncho overhead to block excess moisture.

Carry Backup Fire-Starters

I learned the hard way that relying on natural fuel in a wet environment isn’t always an option. Now, I always carry:

• Waterproof matches or a stormproof lighter.
• Vaseline-soaked cotton balls—one of the best DIY fire starters out there.
• Compressed firestarter blocks or a magnesium fire starter for when everything else fails.

Fire-starting in the Yukon or Northern B.C. means being ready for unpredictable weather. A storm can roll in fast, and if you’re not prepared, you could be left cold, wet, and without a way to dry off.

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Finding Dry Fuel When Everything Looks Soaked

One of the biggest mistakes campers make in wet conditions is assuming all wood is unusable. That’s not true—you just need to know where to look and how to process it.

1. Look for Dry Inner Wood

Even if the outside is drenched, the core of the wood is often dry. I’ve found that breaking open downed logs or splitting thick branches gives me enough inner dry material to get a fire going.

• Look for standing deadwood—wood that hasn’t been on the ground absorbing moisture.
• Split logs open with a hatchet or knife to expose the drier inside layers.
• Feather-stick method – Use a knife to shave off thin, dry curls of wood that ignite easily.

2. Birch Bark and Pine Resin: Nature’s Waterproof Fire-Starters

If you’re in forests with birch trees, you’ve got one of the best fire-starting materials in nature. Birch bark burns even when wet, thanks to its natural oils.

Pine resin, or sap, is another lifesaver—it burns hot and long, making it perfect for wet conditions. If you ever find a wounded pine tree leaking sap, collect a bit—you never know when it might save your fire.

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Building a Fire That Can Handle the Rain

1. Start with a Dry Base

One mistake I see a lot of people make is building their fire directly on wet ground. Instead, create a dry platform:

• Use flat rocks, bark, or even a layer of small sticks to keep your fire off the damp ground.
• If possible, build a windbreak or rain shield around your fire to keep it from getting extinguished.

2. Fire Structure Matters

• Teepee Fire – Best for quick ignition. Arrange kindling in a cone shape.
• Log Cabin Fire – Best for steady burning. Stack logs in a square, leaving space for airflow.

I’ve found that the teepee method works best in wet conditions, as the heat naturally dries and ignites the upper layers faster.

3. Don’t Rush the Process

Wet wood takes patience. You can’t just throw big logs onto a weak flame and expect it to burn. Start small and dry, then gradually work up to larger pieces.

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Keeping the Fire Going in Wet Weather

Once your fire is burning, the key is keeping it alive.

• Always keep extra dry wood protected under a tarp or in a covered spot.
• Pay attention to wind shifts and rain drips from tree branches—both can kill a flame fast.
• If heavy rain returns, build a small lean-to over the fire with rocks or logs to keep the worst of the moisture off.

In places like the Alaskan backcountry, I’ve had fires last all night just by being strategic with fuel and protection.

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Extinguishing Your Fire Responsibly

Fire safety isn’t just a good practice—it’s a necessity.

• Let it burn down naturally to embers before putting it out.
• Douse the embers with water, stirring the ashes until everything is cold.
• Scatter the ashes so no heat remains—especially in dry environments where embers can reignite.

Whether you’re in a Canadian national park or a remote mountain pass, leaving no trace ensures nature stays pristine for the next traveler.

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Final Thoughts: Master the Elements, Master the Fire

Starting a fire in the rain isn’t just about survival—it’s about confidence. Whether you’re hiking in wet mountain valleys, dense forests, or by the ocean, knowing how to get a fire going means staying warm, dry, and ready for whatever nature throws your way.

I’ve learned through trial and error that the best approach is a mix of preparedness, patience, and knowing how to use what’s around you. So next time you’re out in the wild and the rain starts falling, don’t stress. You’ve got this.