[Dick]

This is a fairly simple concept.
If you are lost and/or need assistance one good way to get the attention of an airplane or helicopter is smoke, lots of it.
The idea is to have a good fire going that has lots of heat. Near that fire is a large pile of green conifer branches. When you hear the aircraft you pile all of the green stuff onto the heat fire and presto, you have smoke so thick it looks like you could climb it.
Obviously the trick is not using dry materials. I have only used conifer branches as they are plentiful in this part of the world. I was training, not lost, just in case you were wondering.
Some references will tell you to have dry kindling ready to light with the branches already resting overtop. However, this technique will take longer to get the smoke up into the air… assuming your fire doesn’t go out.
Personally if I think I need to be found, I’m going to assume I only have one kick at it so I won’t take my chances.

[vthompson]

Good post, I agree with you 100%.

[dukman]

I think it really depends on the situation. I have always heard that you should build the signal fire at the highest point near your camp. The reason, is in case the smoke is not seen, maybe the fire will be. If there is a dense canopy, and low clouds, the smoke just might be ineffective by itself. But if the flames can be seen too, it is an added beacon.

If you are in a flat terrain without much tree cover, I would say just have the one fire... but in the forest, you can always add green to your heat fire before running to light the signal fire.

[Dick]

I agree that, if possible, you want to be on a high point of land and/or within a clearing, otherwise the smoke may travel below the tree canopy and not be seen.
The smoke generated from a well prepared signal fire will be visible to a pilot if it gets above the canopy, especially if they are looking for you.

Most low altitude aircraft are not equipped for night flight, and I’ve never heard of Search and Rescue flying at night to locate missing persons, but if they did it would be prudent to have a big pile of dry branches ready to pile on your heat fire.

On flat open terrain I would use the same principal; that is a heat fire with a big pile of greenery at the ready. It could be grass, moss, shrubbery, or whatever you can find.

Keep in mind that the aircraft are probably incidental or are flying a rapid search pattern of “likely” locations. From the time you see or hear the aircraft you may not have much time to get the smoke up. For that reason, you may want to have a couple of piles of greenery.

[Celticwarrior]

Good info. Very helpful for anyone stuck somewhere and needing to signal for rescue. Always something to keep in the back of your mind if you are out in the wilderness, away from cell phone range and heavily trafficked trails.

Thank you very much for the post, Dick.

[ikean]

pop orange smoke.you can still find smoke canisters sometimes if you look hard enough.i used my last one invading a fortress playing paintball...what a cheesy move..it worked though

[dukman]

Originally Posted by ikean

pop orange smoke.you can still find smoke canisters sometimes if you look hard enough.i used my last one invading a fortress playing paintball...what a cheesy move..it worked though

I never thought of it before... but come 4th of July, I am going to get some cheap smoke balls to add to my GHB. While they do dissapate quickly, just adding them to a signal fire will help color the smoke so it stands out more against fog and low clouds.

[STRIPE]

I always teach that three of anything means Help Needed, fires, gunfire,over and over so you dont think someone is hunting, horn blowing, light flashing, Iam sure you get the idea.

[snowshoe67]

great idea, does most paint ball dealers carry them? orange be good,and red I carry a few flares,but smoke balls would be small ( for weight) Great Idea guys thanks........

[Dick]

I have a US military issue magnesium block with attached firesteel that I was issued. Interestingly there were survival instructions with it that instructed the user to burn tyres or oil or gas soaked rags. The black smoke is pretty distinct.
STRIPE, I forgot about that…three fires is definitely a universal distress signal.