To those raised in urban and suburban communities in the United States, the use of fire is more often seen as a form of entertainment or even a luxury. Encounters with fire normally take the form of backyard barbecues or a small fireplace within the home. The thought of potentially relying on fire for daily life or in life and death situations never crosses most people’s minds.
But the reality for many people in this country is that fire is still of the utmost necessity. Many Americans still live in areas where wood heat is the primary source of heat in winter. And even those who may use propane, electricity, or natural gas still may elect to install a wood-burning stove in order to provide extra insurance against the cold.
Then there’s the issue of those times when you may really need to start a fire, such as in the outdoors if you find yourself lost, stranded, or injured. Those are the times when knowing how to start a fire could mean the difference between life and death.
Knowledge of fire starting and firewood isn’t rocket science, but it does require learning and, most importantly, practice. Over time you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. But you can save yourself a lot of time and effort if you follow some of the advice from people who have been doing this for years.
Modern Survival Online has published a guide to firewood that tells you everything you need to know to get started. From the best and worst types of firewood, how to prepare and stack it, and how to use it, their firewood guide is a great introduction for those looking to start working with wood to produce heat.
As with anything, however, there are two things to remember. The first is that your individual situation will dictate what works best for you. So while the guide is useful, you may find yourself having to deviate from it to adjust and adapt to your particular situation.
Second, practice makes perfect. Now is the time to start learning about firewood and putting into practice the things you learn, so that when you really need it you won’t find yourself floundering to try to keep yourself warm.