Fire is essential for maintaining core temperature, cooking food, boiling water, seeing clearly in the dark, and keeping curious wildlife at a distance. Thus, combustion is also on the 5 Cs list of essential bush gear.

Three surefire tools that one should not head into the bush without are lighters, ferrocerium rods, and a magnifying glass. BIC lighters work well. Get three in a bright color so they’re easy to locate in your pack. Ferrocerium rods, or metal matches, are composed of pyrophoric materials like iron, magnesium, and cerium.  They combust with the application of minimal friction against the sharp edge of a hard substance, like steel, sending a shower of 3000-degree sparks. The magnifying glass is another useful option. If you have one with 5x magnification or stronger, then all you need is dry kindling and  sun. Ignition will be easiest when the sun is at its highest point, usually late morning or early afternoon, and, thus, easier in summer than in winter.

More primitive methods like flint and steel and friction sticks are worth becoming familiar with, but don’t count on these in the wild. Flint and steel, for instance, generate sparks that are only a fraction of the temperature that ferrocerium rods produce, reducing the potential for ignition. Come prepared with lighters, sun lenses, and metal matches.