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But this can most often happen under ideal weather conditions. What if it rains, winds, snow, frost, swamp? In these conditions, starting a fire is an art. And with a limited number of matches, it can be a matter of life or death.

So, how to make a fire in damp, rainy weather? The main thing here is not to rush, not to fuss. It’s like the last bullet — you can’t miss. Carefully inspect the place and figure out what could burn in such weather: a dry, upright tree, dry twigs under the thick crown of fir trees, cedars, fir and pines.

You are just lucky if you find a burnt butt of a living coniferous tree. You can plan resin kindling from it. The wetter the weather, the more kindling is required. In rainy weather, before lighting a fire, it is necessary to make a shelter over it: from polyethylene, branches, bark and other means available at hand.

It is advisable to place the kindling not on damp ground, but on thick branches that have been laid and cleared of bark. It needs to be laid in this order: first, the driest and smallest one, on top of it the larger branches, above it — the larger ones, and at the very top you can line up the largest branches in a hut. Lay the kindling taking into account the wind direction. The most crucial moment: make a small niche in the kindling, light a match and, covering it with your palms, slip it into this niche.

As soon as the first branches of kindling light up, carefully watch the development of the flame. Sometimes it, having covered two or three branches, begins to fade. This is where you have to help him: move another dry twig to the fire, then another and another. Trying to compact the kindling while it is burning is dangerous.

The burning branches will move away from each other, and the weakened flame will die out. Therefore, it is better to have several dry twigs or shavings on hand and place them on the weakening flame until the flame gets stronger. Well, what if you don’t have matches? In wet weather, all means of making fire by friction are almost useless.

Why almost? Because if, fortunately, you master this method perfectly, then you will be able to make fire. One day in the fall, at one of the rescue seminars, we tried to make fire using the recommended methods, and nothing worked. Although about 10 strong guys took turns for an hour to twist a sharp stick in a dimple on the board with a special device, like a child’s bow.

Of course, according to the recommendations, you can try to strike a fire using two stones or an iron on a stone. But this requires skill. Yes, and success can only be achieved in the summer and in dry weather. In damp conditions, without cotton wool or dry moss, it is almost impossible to do this.

The only and most reliable means of making fire in the extreme conditions of the taiga are only matches or a lighter. Therefore, make it a rule: no matter where and for how long you go to the taiga, you should always have a lighter or matches with you, as well as a knife, and the matches should be in waterproof packaging.