Tinder is essential to get a fire started in the wilderness. The idea here is to gather DRY materials that will light very easily. A few sparks will get good tinder to catch fire. Here are some suggestions for material to use as tinder:
- Birch bark, dried grasses, fine wood shavings, cotton fluff, bird down and waxed paper.
- Pine needles, pulverized fir cones and the inner bark from cedar trees
- Dried fungi, scorched or charred linen/cotton.
- Dry nests of mice or birds.