[highwayrider02]

Going out to the woods again and we got high winds all day today. Aside from obvious things like a tarp, what kind of natural wind barriers or techniques could I use to protect a fire when I'm trying to get one going?

[B52gundog]

Dakota Fire Hole (fire in the ground).

[highwayrider02]

thank you sir i completely forgot about those!

[kevin]

if you got some sort of firestarter (like vaseline cottonballs for example); the wind will actually help your fire grow quicker. the firesteel won't be bothered in the least by the wind. matches or lighter however you most likely need shield the flame until you can tranfer it to the fire starting material.

[xj35s]

I prefer large old logs and rocks. wind breaks and heat reflector in one.

[snowshoe67]

B52 ! Right on (Dakota fire hole) or Rocks build up like Xj said! Thanks for sharing!

[swamprat]

Unfortunately the Dakota fire-hole doesn't work here in the deep south, if you dig a hole it will fill up with water (except in drought period). XJ was correct about rocks and logs. I use logs all the time, because rocks are in short supply in Louisiana.

[Cajunlady]

Originally Posted by swamprat

Unfortunately the Dakota fire-hole doesn't work here in the deep south, if you dig a hole it will fill up with water (except in drought period). XJ was correct about rocks and logs. I use logs all the time, because rocks are in short supply in Louisiana.

Gee Swamprat the same thing happens to me, water just keeps filling the hole up. And no rocks, me too, we mustn't be too far from each other.

As Kevin said, pj balls and firesteel should start you off and just start building up fire gradually with tinder and so forth.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by Cajunlady

As Kevin said, pj balls and firesteel should start you off and just start building up fire gradually with tinder and so forth.

my experience continues to prove the value of them again and again; I just added another few to my bags!

[tenderfoot]

Originally Posted by kevin

if you got some sort of firestarter (like vaseline cottonballs for example); the wind will actually help your fire grow quicker. the firesteel won't be bothered in the least by the wind. matches or lighter however you most likely need shield the flame until you can tranfer it to the fire starting material.

mineral oil does the trick too. i have a ton for treatin wood handles and such for knives, axes, hammers and the like. it can be gotten for cheap as baby oil. it will light in one try with even the worst fire steels (do not forget to fluff it though). you can even use cheap motor oil (but mineral oil is less toxic).