Fire starter

Logs are pegged securely in a square about 1 metre across to define a safe working space. A bed of finger-width sticks provides a base for the tinder and kindling to rest. Cotton wool and birch bark are covered with fine dry kindling twigs. slightly thicker twigs form a small tipi around the tinder and kindling pile. A magnesium striker is used to generate a spark to ignite the cotton wool; which in turn lights the birch bark; then the kindling; then the small twigs. More twigs are added to keep the fire going until the twigs are large enough to maintain a steady stable fire.