How to Start a Fire with Wet Wood: 4 Steps

wet firewood

With a little planning and preparation, you can easily get a fire going even in wet weather. However, knowing what exactly to do in this situation is a great skill to have.

Here are the steps on how to start a fire with wet wood:

  1. Gather your materials. You'll need the following:

    • Dry tinder (such as bark, grass, or leaves)
    • Dry kindling (such as small twigs or branches)
    • Wet wood (such as logs or branches)
    • A fire starter (such as a lighter or matches)
    • A fire ring or other fire-safe surface
  2. Fire starters on Amazon

    Product Name Price Stars
    bayite 4 Inch Survival Ferrocerium Drilled Flint Fire Starter, Ferro Rod Kit with Paracord Landyard Handle and Striker, 4"(Long) x 3/8"(Diameter) $13.95 4.7
    AOFAR Magnesium Fire Starter AF-374 (2-Pack) Waterproof Fire Steel Pouch for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Backpacking,Outdoor Survival fire Striker kit $12.59 4.6
    Fire Starters for Fireplace, Wood Stove, Campfires, Grill, Fire Pit, Smoker, BBQ - Odorless Charcoal Starter Sticks, Natural Firestarters Sticks for Indoor and Outdoor - 50 pcs $16.99 4.6
    Fire Starter - Natural Pine Fire Starters for Fireplace, Campfires, Grill, Wood & Pellet Stove, Chimney, Fire Pit, BBQ, Smoker - 60 Pack w/10 Min Burning Time - All Weather & Odorless Firestarter $18.97 4.6
    Extremus 6-in-1 Magnesium Fire Starter with Striker, High Temp Magnesium Rod $10.98 4.5
    Fire Starter Survival Tool - All-in-One Flint and Steel Fire Starter Kit - Ferro Rod Fire Starter with 36" Waterproof Tinder Wick Rope and Steel Fire Striker - Patented Firestarter $24.99 4.5
    4 Pack Ferrocerium Drilled Flint Fire Starter, Ferro Rod Kit with Paracord Landyard Handle and Striker $21.89 4.4
  3. Build your fire. After getting all your materials together, it's time to build your fire. Here's how:

    1. Place a small pile of tinder in the center of your fire ring or other fire-safe surface.
    2. Surround the tinder with a layer of kindling.
    3. Place the wet wood on top of the kindling.
    4. Light the tinder with your fire starter.
  4. Feed your fire. Once the tinder is lit, it will start to burn the kindling. As the kindling burns, it will start to dry out the wet wood.

    • Wet wood will start to burn good when they start to dry from the heat.
    • Continue to feed your fire with more wet wood as needed.
    • You should soon have an amazing fire burning.
  5. Extinguish your fire. When you're finished using your fire, be sure to extinguish it completely. Here's how:

    1. Pour water on the fire until it is completely extinguished.
    2. Stir the ashes to make sure they are cool.
    3. Cover the ashes with dirt or sand.

Here are a few additional tips for starting a fire with wet wood:

  • Use dry tinder and kindling. The drier the tinder and kindling, the easier it will be to start the fire.
  • Build your fire in a sheltered spot. This will help to protect the fire from the wind and rain.
  • Use a fire starter. A fire starter will help to get the fire going quickly and easily.
  • Be patient. Starting a fire with wet wood will bevharder than with regular wood. Please be patient.

Additional tips:

  • Use firec starters when necessary: Fire starters are small, flammable materials that can be used to start a fire. They come in a variety of forms, including matches, lighters, and chemical fire starters.
  • It's important to build a fire in a sheltered spot: This will help to protect the fire from the wind and rain.
  • Be patient: It may take a little longer to start a fire with wet wood, so be patient and don't give up.

Tinder options on Amazon:

Fire Tinder Product Rating Price
Exotac quickLIGHT High-Performance Waterproof Tinder 12-Pack 4.8/5 $12.95
5col Survival Supply TinderQuik Firestarting Tabs 50-Pack 4.7/5 $13.49
Four Seasons Survival Tinder-Quik Fire Tab 50-Pack 4.4/5 $9.99
Procamptek - Ultimate Fire Tinder 4.7/5 $9.99
Zippo Tinder Shreds 4.7/5 $5.99
12 Pieces Tinder Rope Natural Tinder Fire Starter Survival Tinder-Quick Fire Tab 4.5/5 $10.99

FAQ

How do you dry wet wood fast?

There are a few things you can do to dry wet wood fast:

  • Stack the wood in a well-ventilated area. This will help the moisture to evaporate more quickly.
  • Split the wood into smaller pieces. This will also help the moisture to evaporate more quickly.
  • Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will help to remove moisture from the air, which will help to dry the wood faster.
  • Place the wood in a warm, dry place. This will also help the moisture to evaporate more quickly.

How long does wet wood need to dry before burning?

In general, it will take several days for wet wood to dry enough to burn.

How long does it take for wet wood to dry out?

In general, it will take several weeks for wet wood to dry out completely.

How do you dry firewood after rain?

  • Stack the wood in a well-ventilated area. This will help the moisture to evaporate more quickly.
  • Cover the wood with a tarp or other waterproof material. This will help to protect the wood from the rain and keep it from getting wet again.
  • Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will help to remove moisture from the air, which will help to dry the wood faster.
  • Place the wood in a warm, dry place. This will also help the moisture to evaporate more quickly.

What happens if wood is wet for too long?

If wood is wet for too long, it can start to rot. Rot can weaken the wood and make it more susceptible to damage from insects and other pests. If you have wood that has been wet for too long, it is best to discard it and replace it with dry wood.

What soaks up moisture from wood?

There are a few things that can soak up moisture from wood. These include:

  • Sawdust
  • Baking soda
  • Cat litter
  • Pumice stone
  • Sand

These materials can be placed in a container with wet wood and left to soak up the moisture. Once the moisture has been absorbed, the materials can be removed and the wood can be used.

What are some good kindling?

Kindling plays a great role in helping yopu start a fir with wet wood. Here are some that's available on amazon:

Product Price
Billy Buckskin Co. 10 lb. Fatwood Fire Starter Sticks $31.30
EasyGoProducts Approx. 120 Eco-Stix Fatwood Fire Starter Kindling Firewood Sticks – 100% Organic – Firestarter for Wood Stoves, Fireplaces, Campfires, Bonfires, Year Round, 10 Pounds New $24.97
EasyGoProducts Eco-Stix Fatwood Fire Starter Kindling Firewood Sticks – 100% Organic – Firestarter for Wood Stoves, Fireplaces, Campfires, Bonfires - 02 Pounds $12.99
Veksun Fire Starters,Charcoal Starters Wood Wool Long Burning Natural Kindling for Fireplace,Campfire,Fire Pit, BBQ Grill,Wood Pellet Stove,Log Burner,Pizza Oven,Smokers 32 Pcs $15.99 List: $18.99
Fire Starter Kindling - 100% All-Natural Incense-Cedar Kindling - Fast, Easy Burning -Perfect for Indoor Fireplaces, Campfires, Beachside Fire Pits, Indoor/Outdoor Stoves (Medium 1/2 Cubic ft) $28.75

Subscribe

Stay updated with our newsletter


Images provided by: depositphotos.com

Conclusion

Starting a fire with wet wood can be accomplished with the right skills. Hopefully you've learned a lot from this article. You can check out some of our articles before you leave.

About Author:

image of Kevin Pommells

Hi, I'm Kevin Pommells, a lover of camping and the great outdoors as everyone says nowadays. I'm also a passionate soccer fan and the proud owner of CamperRules.com, a website dedicated to helping campers and outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their adventures. With years of experience exploring the wilderness and a deep love for the sport of soccer, I'm always looking for new ways to combine my two passions and share my knowledge with others. Follow me for tips, tricks, and insights on all things camping and outdoor recreation.

Follow Me @ Twitter | Facebook | KevinPommells.com

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.