Outdoor Blog

5 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches or Lighters

Published

5 years ago

April 19, 2021

So, you’re stranded somewhere and need fire to keep warm or you want to be more prepared in case that ever happens? Starting a fire without matches or lighters is a crazy idea to some people. But, sometimes it’s your only option. To be better prepared in survival situations, here are five ways to start a fire without lighters or matches!

The first thing you need before trying to start any fire is dry tinder. It’s the perfect fire starter, and it can be found about anywhere. However, the best option is to buy a tinder kit somewhere like Amazon, which usually consists of items like cotton balls and paracord. An alternative to a tinder kit is char cloth.

Gathering kindling and tinder is one of the most important parts of building a fire.

Although, natural tinder is everywhere; tinder could be dry grass, the fluff of cattails, and pieces of bark. Not only do you need tinder, but you also need kindling. The two aren’t very different, but kindling should be held onto so you can keep your fire going. You can use dry wood, dry leaves, and small twigs.

Kindling is just as important as tinder, so don’t go through the trouble of starting a fire if you haven’t gathered any kindling yet. Once you have plenty of tinder and kindling, go ahead and make your tinder nest. Fire starting can be relatively easy as long as you have patience. Plus, it’s a great survival skill to have under your belt.

1. Flint and Steel

This version might be a little old-fashioned, but it helps out when you’re in a bind. You’ll need a flint rock and a steel striker for this method. First, you place your tinder or char cloth on top of your flint rock and hold them together in one of your hands. Using the steel striker, strike down at a 30-degree angle to create a spark.

Once the sparks land on the char cloth or tinder, they will begin to smolder. Very carefully, transfer this ember to the rest of your tinder and blow gently until it catches on fire. If you’re really into hiking and camping, you should always carry flint and steel with you just in case. It’s a good option to have in case of emergencies.

2. Glass or Plastic

Remember how you might’ve lit an ant or two on fire with a magnifying glass as a kid? It actually works well in survival situations. The most important thing in this method is the sun; it won’t work unless the sun is shining. For this method, you can use a magnifying glass, a pair of eyeglasses, binocular lenses, or a full plastic water bottle. You can also polish the bottom of a soda can with toothpaste to make it work.

Once you pick your device, the rest is a waiting game. Line up your device with the sun so that it creates beams onto the ground. Once you’ve lined the device and sun up to where you want to build a fire, place your char cloth or tinder under the beam. Then, you wait. It’ll take a few minutes, but it’ll happen eventually. This method is good because it can be done by basically anyone anywhere. You don’t need special materials to start the flame; all you need is glass or plastic.

Starting a fire with flint and steel is probably the most popular way.

3. Friction

It’s a known fact: friction creates heat. And if it can create enough heat, it can start a fire. There are several ways to use friction to start a fire. There’s a bow drill, a hand drill, and a fire plow.

For the bow drill, you’ll need:

A fireboard: a half-inch piece of flat, dry, and dead softwood
A bowstring: paracord, shoelaces, or any kind of rope
A top piece / Socket: a piece of rock, shell, or bone
A bow wood: a sturdy piece of wood with a curve that extends from your arm to fingertip
A spindle: a piece of dry, dead softwood that’s about eight inches in length and one inch in diameter and has blunt points on both of its ends

First, create a hole that will fit the spindle in the fireboard by using a pocket knife. Next, create a V-shaped notch where you drill in the fireboard; this collects the coal and hot dust. Place your fireboard on top of a leaf or piece of wood to collect the ember.

Wrap the bowstring around the spindle, place the spindle in the hole in the fireboard, and put the socket on top of the spindle to hold it in place. Apply downward pressure to the socket and begin moving the bowstring back and forth until it starts to smoke. Continue moving the bowstring for a few more minutes so an ember can be formed. Then, use the bark or leaf to transfer the ember to your tinder or char cloth.

The hand drill method is fairly similar to the bow drill method. For this method, you’ll need:

A spindle: a piece of softwood or pithy wood that has a length between 18 and 24 inches and the diameter of your pinky and has slightly pointy ends
A fireboard: a half-inch thick piece of dry, dead softwood

The main difference between the hand and bow drill methods is that you use your hands for this one. Create a hole in this fireboard with a pocketknife, and then create a V-shaped curve in the board to catch the coal and hot dust. Next, place the fireboard on top of a leaf or piece of bark to collect the ember.

Put the spindle in the hole, place your hands on both sides of the spindle, and rub your hands back and forth. After you create enough friction to create smoke, transfer the ember onto your char cloth or tinder.

For a fire plow, or a fire plough, you’ll need:

A fireboard: a flat piece of wood (sotol, hibiscus, cedar, juniper, and other softwood) with a six or an eight-inch groove
A plow: a two to a three-inch piece of flat, wide wood that has an angled head that fits into the groove of the fireboard

First, hold your plow at a 45-degree angle to the piece of fireboard. Next, begin moving the plow up and down on the groove. Do this quickly, and a lump of burning coal will form. All of these friction methods work very well, and they can be done with resources you find in the woods.

4. Batteries and Steel Wool

Because of the magnesium in batteries, it immediately catches fire when put against steel wool. You’ll need either a 9-volt battery or two AA/AAA batteries. For the 9-volt battery, simply set it in the bundle of steel wool. Then, a fire will start automatically.

For the two AA/AAA batteries, you’ll need to tape them in a row so they don’t move. Then, pull off a piece of steel wool out of the pile and connect one of its ends to the positive side of the first battery. Next, take the opposite end of the steel wool and connect it to the negative side of the second battery. It’ll make a kind of circuit, and the circuit will create sparks to ignite your steel wool.

This method can be very dangerous if you don’t take caution. You’ll need to keep a distance from the battery while it’s sparking and be extra careful. However, it’s an easy method that can be done very quickly. Just be aware of what you’re doing.

5. Chemicals

While it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have chemicals on you, it’s still a method worth mentioning. These methods are very dangerous and should only be used in life and death emergency situations. For the first chemical method, you’ll need potassium permanganate and glycerin/sugar.

First, pour some potassium permanganate onto a rock to create a small well on the rock. Next, add some glycerin to the potassium permanganate and wait for a few minutes. The mixture will catch on fire. As for sugar, use the blunt end of a stick to crush them together. Make sure to keep these chemicals apart when hiking.

The next mixture includes ammonium nitrate, table salt (sodium chloride), zinc powder, and water. First, mix four grams of ammonium nitrate and one gram of table salt, and grind them together with a rock. Next, mix ten grams of zinc powder into the mixture. Add a few drops of water, and wait for the mixture to catch fire. Again, keep these chemicals apart while hiking because they could combust if accidentally mixed.

Starting a fire without matches or lighters is a great skill to have.

What if it’s Raining?

Another dilemma when you’re trying to start a fire is that it’s wet outside. Your tinder is wet, and there isn’t anything dry around you. Is all hope lost? No, you can still start a fire if you’re resourceful enough. Start by finding dry tinder.

It might seem impossible, but if you have a pocket knife, it’s very possible. Go to a birch or cedar tree and start to peel back layers of bark until you get to a spot that’s dry. Make sure you gather enough to keep as a backup. Next, find a standing dead tree.

Dead trees that are laying on the forest floor are often wet on the inside, but standing dead trees are dry on the inside. Peel away the wet, rotted outer section of the trunk and eventually, you’ll reach the dry wood. Use this wood as your kindling.

The good news is that once the fire has caught and really started burning, you can feed it with damp twigs and limbs. The heat will be strong enough to catch the damp wood and burn it up. The hardest part is finding dry wood. However, it is possible.

Best Types of Wood for Starting Fire

When you’re collecting wood for a fire, you might not know what works best for campfires. While all wood will burn, some wood is better than others. Your choice of wood is important because you’ll want wood that burns longer and hotter. The best kinds of wood are oak, hickory, ash, and cedar.

Oak is arguably the best kind of wood to use in campfires. Oak burns slow and steady while producing substantial heat. Also, oak is one of the most common woods that is found in North America. Hickory wood is one of the best kinds of wood in terms of burning. It burns hotter than oak and maple. Hickory is a hardwood that’s very dense, so it can be hard to split. However, it burns very well and holds little moisture.

Ash trees have about 50 different species and are known as some of the best firewood in the world. Ashwood doesn’t produce a lot of smoke and burns really well. It doesn’t retain water easily either! Ashwood will also burn when it’s green.

Cedarwood doesn’t produce a big flame, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in heat. Cedarwood is ideal for chilly nights. Also, cedar smells very good! Some woods that you might want to avoid are poplar, spruce, willow, and alder.

Fire Starting Techniques to Avoid

When building a fire, there are some things that you just shouldn’t do. First of all, don’t pick anything off the wet ground to feed your fire. It won’t burn. Next, don’t use rotten wood. Bacteria and fungi are the two main things that cause wood to rot, and they cause it to lose its fuel value.

You also need to make sure that you use enough tinder. The best amount of tinder is two big handfuls to ensure that it creates a strong foundation. Another thing to avoid is lighting your fire into the wind. Fire can be blown out easily, so finding a place with little wind is key.

Ways to Put Out a Fire

Say your fire has gotten a little out of hand. What do you do? There are a couple of things you could do in these circumstances. Here are ten ways to put out a fire. Pour water on it. It might seem like the easiest thing to do, but some people do forget about water.

This is the quickest method and the best method in case of an emergency. Another thing you can do is douse the fire in dirt or sand. This method takes a little bit longer, so water is your best option. In case of an emergency, the first thing to do is not panic. Don’t throw the water down; you’ll want to spread it slowly so the smoke doesn’t spread.

Start by spreading the water around the outside of the fire to make it smaller in size. Walking in a spiral around the fire while pouring the water onto it is the best way to do this. Even if you think the fire is out, grab a stick and move the kindling around. If you see any red embers, pour more water on them. Stir the kindling and tinder until you don’t see any more red embers.

Final Verdict

Flint and steel is the best way to start a fire if you don’t have matches or lighters. They’re lightweight, and they don’t require a long setup time. It only takes a couple of strikes to start a spark, and you’ll have a fire in no time!

Outdoor Blog

How to Take Your Own Internet to Outdoor Events

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

You’ve got the permits, the lineup, the stage design, and the crowd — but when it comes to WiFi, outdoor events can turn from dream festivals to data dead zones in minutes. Reliable connectivity is now as essential as power or sound. Whether it’s a music festival streaming to TikTok, a food fair using mobile POS systems, or a corporate brand activation relying on live dashboards, the internet connection is what keeps the gears turning.

But the truth is this: counting on venue WiFi at a large outdoor event is a gamble. Hundreds of devices fighting for the same bandwidth can jam up the signal before the headliner gets on stage. Public networks only have one backhaul connection, so your production crew, security cameras, and vendors could all be fighting with concert-goers streaming YouTube in the crowd.

So, if your aspiration is to keep the event chugging along like clockwork, the genius move is to bring your own internet — designed specifically for the occasion, private, and controlled by your event staff.

Why Venue WiFi Fails When Crowds Arrive

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Cisco’s 2024 Annual Internet Report, the average person now connects four to six devices at live events — phones, wearables, tablets, scanners, and streaming gear. Multiply that by 5,000 or 50,000 people, and you’re looking at a digital traffic jam.

Outdoor locations have a very minimal amount of wired infrastructure. The majority utilize older systems or common fiber links, which were not designed for thousands of users at once. When the signal is over-stretched, latency increases, access points fail, and the network grinds to a halt.

For event organizers, this is not only inconvenient — it’s a safety and revenue gamble. POS terminals won’t work. QR ticket scanners crawl. Even backup communication programs freeze.

The Smarter Solution: Creating Your Own Network

Constructing a stand-alone network for an outside event may seem daunting, but technology has made it relatively achievable. Instead of relying on one provider or tower, professional crews now use several sources of the internet to deliver redundancy and stability.

Outdoor WiFi specialists use multi-carrier cellular bonding, satellite uplinks, and WAN smoothing to keep traffic consistent even when one source is down. It’s a lot like having several water pipes feed one tank — if one pipe gets stopped up, others keep the flow consistent.

The best configuration depends on three variables:

Location: Urban park, remote valley, rooftop, or open desert all have different signal profiles and line-of-sight challenges.
Bandwidth Demand: Are you providing power to a 50-person AV crew or streaming to a million online viewers?
Duration: A day-long music festival versus a week-long brand tour will change the way you plan power, cooling, and redundancy.

Professional crews will often pre-deploy with site surveys — gauging carrier strength, spectrum congestion, and potential sources of interference such as LED walls or nearby broadcast towers.

Lessons from the Field

Outdoor WiFi would be a niche specialty, but in today’s world it’s simply part and parcel of modern event production. In the last decade, TradeShowInternet’s teams have helped support hundreds of big outdoor festivals and corporate activations, and there have been a few hard-won lessons along the way.

There was the time crews climbed a half mile up the flank of a Santa Fe mountain with over 200 pounds of gear to put in a solar-powered relay antenna for Red Bull’s Guinness World Record truck jump. A second assignment involved digging cable trenches through snake country in Los Angeles for Christian Dior’s fashion show.

When Univision taped La Banda on the beach in Miami, technicians climbed a 20-foot truss into a lightning storm to raise antennas. These are probably war stories, but they represent reality: each outdoor location introduces its own wildcards. Wind, weather, terrain, and local RF noise all push the limits of planning.

The lesson? Experience is as important as gear. Knowing when to use additional directional antennas, when to flip to satellite failover, or how to protect a router from 100-degree heat isn’t something you can read in a manual.

The Technical Side: How Redundant Networks Keep Events Alive

This is how seasoned outdoor internet crews engineer reliability into temporary networks:

Multi-Carrier Bonding: Equipment stitches together data from multiple cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to maximize bandwidth and fill signal gaps.

WAN Smoothing: Packets are duplicated and relayed on secondary paths to prevent noticeable drops or hiccups in live streams.
Satellite Integration: Especially when out at remote sites or in mountain events where cell phone reception is spotty.
5G + LTE Hybrid Units: Combining newer high-bandwidth 5G networks with more predictable LTE offers well-rounded throughput.
Portable Mesh Access Points: Create overlapping areas of WiFi that eliminate dead spots across vast grounds or over tented locations.
Power & Weather Protection: Ranging from Pelican case enclosures to solar power solutions, all of which ensure uptime regardless of adverse weather conditions.

It’s a multi-layer strategy — not one device straining the load, but several working in tandem to handle bandwidth, robustness, and coverage.

Why Your Vendors, AV Staff, and Guests All Need Their Own Network Layer

External events normally have three distinct user communities that require the internet:

Production and AV Personnel – operation of live feeds, mixing panels, lighting, and communications programs.
Vendors and POS Devices – card transaction processing, QR menus, and inventory software.
Guests and Media – posting, uploading, or taking part in brand interaction activity.

Mixing them all on one open WiFi is risky. It provides security vulnerabilities and causes too much congestion. The preferred method is network segmentation, creating separate virtual networks that prioritize mission-critical traffic (production, POS, security cameras) and restrict non-mission-critical use like social browsing.

This is exactly how professional outdoor WiFi & Internet solution companies like TradeShowInternet build event systems. They design bespoke topologies that match the unique demands of every event, whether a food festival, marathon, or big corporate activation.

Budgeting and Planning: What Organizers Should Know

According to EventMB’s 2024 Event Technology Report, 73% of event planners say maintaining a reliable connection is important to attendee happiness, yet less than half have a standalone internet budget in place upfront while planning. That’s a recipe for last-minute scrambling.

For all to run smoothly, the network plan needs to be created alongside stage design and power planning — not an afterthought.

Some planning advice:

Start early: Conduct site surveys at least 30 days ahead of the event.
Prioritize wired backbones: Use fiber or Ethernet in production areas whenever possible.
Segregate guest WiFi: Utilize bandwidth caps or sponsored captive portals to control usage.
Redundancy: Cellular + satellite bonding is well worth the investment for mission-critical space.
Post-event review: Collect performance data to inform next year’s plan.

Real-World Use Cases

Outdoor connectivity is not just for music festivals. It’s a necessity for:

Marathons and triathlons – for timing chips, live maps, and emergency co-ordination.
Outdoor conferences or summits – where executives require office-grade internet to make presentations.
Food truck festivals and markets – all vendors need POS access.
Film and TV productions – production villages rely on low-latency connections for uploads.
Races and motorsport events – telemetry, live scoring, and media streaming.

Each of these environments needs a different trade-off among coverage area, upload speed, and mobility.

Why Experience Matters for Outdoor Internet Installations

Each outdoor location is unique. Trees, humidity, metal buildings, even bodies of water can affect wireless performance. Having individuals who’ve done hundreds of installations means fewer surprises and faster repairs when something unexpected happens.

That’s where TradeShowInternet, a leading outdoor WiFi & Internet solution company, comes in. The company has built up networks on deserts, beaches, helipads, mountain ridges, and pop-up brand villages — keeping organizers, vendors, and AV teams connected wherever the event is hosted.

Outdoor Blog

Outdoor Event WiFi: The New Backbone of Open-Air Experiences

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

A concert in the canyon. A film night under desert stars. A bustling waterfront food festival with 10,000 guests. Across the country, outdoor events are turning parks, coastlines, forests, and fields into memorable destinations. But there’s one service now as essential as power, permits, and porta-potties: outdoor event WiFi.

Whether for ticket scanning, mobile POS systems, sponsor activations, or live-streaming performances, WiFi for outdoor events has become the invisible support that keeps everything running. Without it, payments stall, communication falters, and digital engagement stops.

Why Outdoor Event WiFi Is Mission-Critical

The outdoor events sector, from farmers’ markets to endurance races, is growing quickly. Allied Market Research predicts global festival revenues will exceed $50B by 2030. These venues offer unique charm, but they also pose a challenge: a lack of built-in internet infrastructure.

“Outside doesn’t mean offline,” says Emma Castillo, a production manager for festivals, film nights, and open-air corporate launches. “We rely on temporary internet for outdoor events to manage our security communications, allow vendors to keep selling, and ensure our livestreams don’t drop.”

Cellular service can struggle with the demands of thousands of devices. Some remote locations may not have any service at all. That’s where outdoor event WiFi solutions come in—portable, scalable, and designed for unpredictable weather.

How Outdoor Internet Keeps Events Moving

Today’s outdoor events rely on connectivity in ways that go far beyond letting guests post on social media:

Mobile POS & Cashless Payments – No signal means lost revenue for vendors.
RFID & Access Control – Real-time validation at gates and VIP areas.
Streaming & Social Content – From TikTok reels to sponsor livestreams.
Sponsor Engagement – QR contests, AR activations, and digital signage updates.
Safety & Logistics – Staff communication, emergency alerts, GPS tracking.

A recent Event Manager Blog study found 63% of sponsors now require guaranteed internet access before committing. Attendees want it too; more than half say connectivity is a key factor in their event satisfaction.

Outdoor Event WiFi Solutions in Action: “Lights on the Lake”

In June, the lakeside town of Lakeshore hosted a three-day open-air film festival. The views were stunning, but no wired internet was available, and mobile service barely worked.

The technical crew set up:

Multi-carrier 5G bonding for vendor and guest networks
Long-range weatherproof access points covering the pier and food court
A private secure network for organizers and emergency staff
A satellite uplink for backup

The festival processed thousands of transactions, streamed Q&A sessions with international filmmakers, and even operated a live voting app without a single connectivity failure.

Industry Perspective: Connectivity as a Core Utility

According to WiFit founder Matt Cicek, changes in event technology priorities have been significant:

“Five years ago, internet at an outdoor event was seen as a nice-to-have. Now, it’s as essential as running water and electricity. From safety coordination to sponsor returns, there’s too much at stake to leave it to chance.”

The Future of Temporary Internet for Outdoor Events

As events become more complex, WiFi for outdoor events from service providers like WiFit will play an even larger role. Expect advancements like:

Solar-powered network kits for sustainable operations
AI-managed bandwidth that adjusts to real-time crowd size
Edge computing for instant AR and interactive attractions

For event planners, the message is clear: the quality of your internet connection is as important as your stage, lighting, or sound system. The next time you’re booking a venue, remember—the crowd may be watching the performers, but they’re also looking at their screens. They expect both to work perfectly.

Outdoor Blog

Gear You Should Snag for the Great Outdoors This Season

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Caleb Cole

Outdoor enthusiasts know that having the right gear can make all the difference. Whether you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or engaging in any other outdoor activity, quality equipment ensures not only safety but also a better overall experience. As we head into a new season, it’s time to refresh your gear collection with essential items that will enhance your adventures. In this article, we’ll explore five pieces of must-have outdoor gear, focusing on both practicality and comfort.

Shooting Glasses Are Essential for Outdoor Adventures

If you’re heading out for a shooting range session or a hunting trip, investing in a quality pair of shooting glasses is non-negotiable. Eye protection is critical when engaging in any activity involving firearms, and shooting glasses are designed to keep your eyes safe from potential hazards like debris, shell casings, and even harmful UV rays.

Shooting glasses are a key safety measure that helps shield your eyes from impact and glare. The lenses are typically made from high-impact resistant materials that can endure tough conditions, making them a must-have for hunters, target shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Beyond safety, these glasses often come with polarized lenses to improve visibility in various lighting conditions. By incorporating shooting glasses into your outdoor gear, you’re ensuring not only better safety but also improved performance during your time in the wilderness.

What Should You Look For During Black Friday Hunting Gear Deals?

One of the best times to stock up on essential outdoor gear is during Black Friday. Black Friday hunting gear deals provide an opportunity for hunters to snag high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re after apparel, backpacks, or specialized equipment, Black Friday sales often feature steep discounts on top brands that every outdoor enthusiast should take advantage of.

This sale season is ideal for upgrading your hunting wardrobe and stocking up on essential gear that may normally be out of your price range. From weather-resistant jackets to durable boots and base layers, hunting gear can be pricey, and Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in the best equipment. By keeping an eye out for deals during this shopping period, you can save money while ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next big adventure.

Multi-Tools Are a Must-Have

Want to know the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry? It is a multi-tool. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or hunting, having a tool that can serve multiple functions is a game-changer. Multi-tools come equipped with a variety of features such as knives, screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors, all compactly housed in a single device that easily fits in your pocket or pack.

The practicality of a multi-tool is hard to beat. It allows you to tackle unexpected tasks, from cutting rope to repairing gear, all without needing to carry a full toolbox. When you’re out in the wild, you want to be prepared for anything, and a multi-tool ensures you’re ready to handle small emergencies or make quick fixes with ease.

Insulated Water Bottles Can Improve Your Outdoor Experience

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any outdoor activity. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or spending hours in a hunting blind, having an insulated water bottle can make a difference. Insulated bottles have features that help to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for a long time, which is especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

These bottles maintain the temperature of your beverage—whether cold or hot—so you can enjoy refreshing water in the summer or a warm drink during chilly morning hunts. Insulated water bottles are also typically made from durable materials, meaning they can withstand the rigors of outdoor use without breaking or leaking. Investing in a high-quality insulated bottle ensures that you stay hydrated and comfortable throughout your outdoor excursions.

Durable Backpacks Can Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

A good backpack is the cornerstone of any successful outdoor trip. When you’re out in nature, you need a reliable, durable pack to carry all of your gear comfortably. Look for backpacks that are built to withstand harsh conditions, provide ample storage, and have ergonomic designs that distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Modern outdoor backpacks come equipped with multiple compartments to help you stay organized, as well as specialized features like hydration bladder compatibility, rain covers, and reinforced straps. By investing in a durable, well-designed backpack, you’ll have the capacity to carry everything you need—whether it’s extra clothing, food, or hunting gear—while maintaining comfort during long treks.