Fire is one of the most fundamental and transformative skills in bushcraft. The Fire Lighting Day Course offers a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of both traditional and modern fire-lighting techniques, equipping participants with the confidence to light, manage, and maintain a fire in a wide range of environments and conditions.
Across the day, participants learn how to reliably create fire using everything from everyday ignition sources to improvised and survival methods. Equal emphasis is placed on preparation, technique, situational awareness, and environmental responsibility, ensuring that fire is used safely, efficiently, and respectfully.
This course is suitable for beginners and those looking to deepen existing skills, providing a strong foundation that can be applied across bushcraft, expedition travel, and emergency scenarios.
This course runs in Derbyshire and Oxfordshire
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Fire is one of the most fundamental and transformative skills in bushcraft. The Fire Lighting Day Course offers a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of both traditional and modern fire-lighting techniques, equipping participants with the confidence to light, manage, and maintain a fire in a wide range of environments and conditions.
Across the day, participants learn how to reliably create fire using everything from everyday ignition sources to improvised and survival methods. Equal emphasis is placed on preparation, technique, situational awareness, and environmental responsibility, ensuring that fire is used safely, efficiently, and respectfully.
This course is suitable for beginners and those looking to deepen existing skills, providing a strong foundation that can be applied across bushcraft, expedition travel, and emergency scenarios.
Fire Lighting Day Course
Fire Lighting Day Course
Fire Lighting Day Course
Fire Lighting Day Course
Fire Lighting Day Course
Fire Lighting Day Course
Morning – Foundations of Fire
Following a warm welcome and course introduction, the day begins with the essential groundwork that underpins successful fire lighting. Participants are guided through tinder and kindling selection, learning how to source and prepare both natural and man-made materials.
Topics covered include:
- Identifying effective natural tinders in the landscape
- Processing materials for optimal ignition
- Making feather sticks and fine kindling
- Understanding moisture, airflow, and fuel progression
Attention then turns to fire siting and preparation. Participants learn how to choose a safe and appropriate fire location, considering wind direction, ground conditions, and environmental impact. The correct preparation of a fire site is demonstrated, reinforcing best practice and Leave No Trace principles.
With these foundations in place, participants build and maintain their first fires, developing confidence in structure, airflow, and fuel management. Instruction continues throughout, allowing participants to adjust techniques and troubleshoot common challenges.
Midday – Fire Management and Leave No Trace
As the morning progresses, participants explore the ongoing management of fire, including maintaining heat, adjusting flame size, and using fire efficiently for warmth and cooking.
Before breaking for lunch, instructors demonstrate how to extinguish and clear a fire safely, ensuring no trace is left behind. This reinforces responsible woodland practice and the importance of respecting both the environment and other woodland users.
Participants then pause for a self-catered packed lunch. Hot and cold water are available for drinks, and a base-camp style toilet is provided.
Afternoon – Ignition Sources and Survival Methods
The afternoon focuses on ignition sources, beginning with modern and everyday tools. Participants are guided through the correct use of:
- Matches
- Lighters
- Ferrocerium rods
For each method, instructors discuss history, storage, reliability, limitations, and suitable tinder combinations. Participants are given ample time to practise lighting and maintaining fires using each ignition source, refining technique through repetition.
The course then progresses into survival fire-lighting methods, introducing techniques that can be employed in emergency situations when conventional tools are unavailable. These include:
- Electrical fire-lighting methods (scaleable for vehicle-based techniques)
- Chemical ignition methods
- Solar fire lighting
Each method is demonstrated clearly before participants have the opportunity to practise under guidance, gaining practical experience and a realistic understanding of when and how these techniques may be used.
Practical Information
- All tools and materials are provided
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate participants
- Non-catered – please bring a packed lunch and snacks
- Hot and cold water available
- Base-camp style toilet on site
- Rustic woodland setting – additional comfort items welcome
In Summary
The Fire Lighting Day Course provides a thorough and confidence-building introduction to one of the most essential outdoor skills. Participants leave with practical experience across a wide range of fire-lighting methods, a deeper understanding of preparation and fire behaviour, and the ability to adapt their approach to changing conditions.
More than simply lighting fires, the course fosters a thoughtful and responsible relationship with fire—one rooted in skill, awareness, and respect for the landscape.
