If fire had cells , science would call it "alive" as it grows , reproduces , spawns, consumes resources and breathes oxygen.
In human history , fire is quite high in the biggest things human's ever learned to harness/control to use. ( signalling, cook/boil water, dry off , keep warm, drive bugs away and make tools/glues, stuff with like bronze or steel production.)
Over on my youtube channel , i have many fire making /kit/tin videos.(more to come)
Remembering that fire is helpful , but can be very very destructive in nature. Fire triangle of oxygen(02) + fuel+ heat = flames/fire Take one out to stop/slow it. Prime example is water (except in grease /oil fires) , its used to reduce heat of fire. Surface area , refining tinder/fuel and prepping it well( having a good fire lay and base {small/fine to medium to progressively wider and longer lasting fuel prepared}) helps to ensure your ready to go once you have the flame, spark or heat source ready to use. This is really important in lets say winter with only one match with striker for example.
Now a fire kit/bag or tin( goes by other names like tinder kit or fire making gear) is something to bring that can help you get fire even when weather/conditions are not ideal.
A setup like this ideally should contain at least a flame /hot spark source like bic or ferro rod for example adding the rest gives you a nice cover of fire capabilities in many situations /conditions over short or much longer period of time.(solar)
Flame sources- lighters, matches and zippos.
Spark sources- like flint and steel or ferro rod. Paired with a striker can shoot out sparks that can start something like char cloth.
Heat sources- solar , friction , exothermic reactions...
tinder sources- cotton , dryer lint, candle(flame extender) , char cloth, fat wood, birch bark ....
tinder creating tools- knife/blade , pencil sharpener
Try with all them , and gain skills by experiencing making fire with each one. (increase the difficulty with cold hands or wet conditions When you need fire the most , it may also be the hardest time to make it .
When I create my fire kits , I keep these sources and tools in mine to add in some way or form to help me make that next fire.
