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    • Tree Planting with Sound Salmon Solutions
    • Thomas D Eagle Scout Project
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    • Veterans Day at Washelli
    • New Website
    • STEM Month
    • Back Indoors
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    • Wilderness First Aid Fall 2021
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    • Medicine Merit Badge
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    • Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
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    • Exploration Merit Badge
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    • Scouting@Home
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    • Winter Camping Skill 2020
    • Snow Campout 2020
    • LAN Jam 2020
    • Annual Health and Medical Record
    • Christmas Tree Recycling
    • Summer Camp 2020
    • Never do for a boy what he can do for himself
    • Cyber Chip requirements for Scout and Star Ranks
    • Be prepared for life
    • Leadership is not about being in charge
    • Archived Photo May 22 2016
    • Archived Photo May 20 2016
    • Archived Photo May 19 2016
    • Spencer Spit 2016
    • Camp Pigott 2015
    • Lynnwood memorial honors service in Korean War
    • Banks Lake 2011
    • Archived Photo March 10 2016
    • Barclay Lake
    • Archived Photo February 8 2016
    • Troop History
    • Archived Photo May 19 2016
    • Dungeness Bay – March 2016
    • Klondike 2004
    • Winter Camping Seminar Field Trip - 09 - Group shot at Paradise
    • Umtanum Spring 2012
    • Lina Lake 2012
    • Snoqualmie 2012
    • “Taps” and “To the Color”
    • Archived Photos May 19 2016
    • Camano Island 2020
    • NYLT
    • Spaghetti Towers
    • Auto Maintenence MB
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  • About
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      • 2021 Gear Gift Guide
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  • Contact Us
Troop 49 Lynnwood
  • Home
  • Photo Gallery
  • Calendar
  • Troop News
    • Rudransh's Eagle Project
    • Snow Camping 2025
    • Camp Pigott Summer Camp 2024
    • May Backpacking 2024
    • Mateo's Eagle Project
    • Deception Pass Campouit
    • Canoes
    • Snow Camping 2024
    • Scouting for Food 2024
    • Street Cleanup 2025
  • Troop Archives
    • Camp Easton Summer Camp
    • Court of Honor
    • Crossover Campout
    • Welcoming New Crossovers
    • Winter Camping
    • Scout Night at the SIlvertips
    • Tree Recycling
    • Troop 49 Halloween Party
    • Troop 49 Fire Mountain Weebloree
    • Bear Lake Backpacking Trip
    • Baker Lake Canoe Adventure
    • Geocaching Merit Badge
    • Camp Pigott Campout
    • Braden Frost: Eagle Court
    • Alpha's Bike Bash: ServiceProject
    • Steamboat Slough Canoe Exploration
    • NYLT 2022
    • Summer Camp - Fire Mountain: August 2022
    • Whitewater Rafting 2022
    • Camp Baldwin - Summer Camp 2022
    • Court Of Honor: June 2022
    • Steamboat Slough Recon
    • Kachess Canoe Adventure
    • 2022 Pack 59 Crossover
    • 2022 Canoe Adventures
    • Order of the Arrow Summer Banquet
    • June 2022 Canoe Training
    • Exploration Merit Badge 2022
    • Troop of the Year
    • Memorial Day Veterans Park 2022
    • Pack 11 Crossover
    • Adopt A Street Clean Up May 2022
    • Fire Mountain Camporee 2022
    • Second Chance Leave No Trace 101
    • April Canoe Training
    • Leave No Trace 101
    • 2022 Crossovers
    • Shooting Sports
    • Wilderness First Aid
    • Shooting Sports Weekend
    • Fire Mountain Crossover
    • First Aid Merit Badge
    • Top Chef
    • Winter Skills Adventure Program
    • Virtual University of Scouting - Inland Northwest Council - March 12
    • Spring Merit Badge Day - May 7
    • Snow Sports Merit Badge
    • Virtual Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
    • Jan22 Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
    • Trees 2022
    • Meet the Troops 2022
    • Citizenship in Society Merit Badge 2022
    • Winter Skills Adventure Program
    • Holiday Merit Badges
    • Dec 2 Medicine Merit Badge
    • Tree Planting with Sound Salmon Solutions
    • Thomas D Eagle Scout Project
    • Medicine and Health Care Professions Merit Badges
    • Veterans Day at Washelli
    • New Website
    • STEM Month
    • Back Indoors
    • Wilderness Survival
    • Wilderness First Aid Fall 2021
    • Winter Skills Adventure Program 2022
    • Medicine Merit Badge
    • Wilderness Survival
    • Shooting Sports Day
    • Boardman Lake
    • Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
    • Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
    • 2021 Canoe Adventure
    • Geocaching Merit Badge
    • Canoe Basic Training 2021
    • Camp Parsons 2021
    • Camp Emerald Bay 2021
    • Adventure Week at Fire Mountain 2021
    • Backpacking John Wayne Trail
    • Exploration Merit Badge
    • Washelli May 2021
    • Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge
    • Pets Merit Badge
    • Nuclear Science Merit Badge
    • Wilderness First Aid Spring 2021
    • Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping Merit Badges
    • Fire Mountain Spring 2021
    • Geocaching and Orienteering Merit Badges
    • Theater Merit Badge
    • Fire Mountain Clean Up
    • Orienteering Merit Badge
    • Winter Skills Adventure Program 2021
    • Tougher Scout Challenge
    • 2020 Virtual Camp-In
    • Search and Rescue Merit Badge
    • Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge
    • Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
    • Personal Fitness Merit Badge
    • Medicine Merit Badge Virtual Class
    • Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
    • Personal Management Merit Badge
    • First Aid Merit Badge
    • National BSA Camp-In
    • Mount Baker Council Virtual CamporALL
    • Gardening Merit Badge
    • Troop 49 First Aid Merit Badge
    • Public Service Merit Badge
    • Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
    • Scouting@Home
    • Local Campout
    • Covid-19
    • Winter Camping Skill 2020
    • Snow Campout 2020
    • LAN Jam 2020
    • Annual Health and Medical Record
    • Christmas Tree Recycling
    • Summer Camp 2020
    • Never do for a boy what he can do for himself
    • Cyber Chip requirements for Scout and Star Ranks
    • Be prepared for life
    • Leadership is not about being in charge
    • Archived Photo May 22 2016
    • Archived Photo May 20 2016
    • Archived Photo May 19 2016
    • Spencer Spit 2016
    • Camp Pigott 2015
    • Lynnwood memorial honors service in Korean War
    • Banks Lake 2011
    • Archived Photo March 10 2016
    • Barclay Lake
    • Archived Photo February 8 2016
    • Troop History
    • Archived Photo May 19 2016
    • Dungeness Bay – March 2016
    • Klondike 2004
    • Winter Camping Seminar Field Trip - 09 - Group shot at Paradise
    • Umtanum Spring 2012
    • Lina Lake 2012
    • Snoqualmie 2012
    • “Taps” and “To the Color”
    • Archived Photos May 19 2016
    • Camano Island 2020
    • NYLT
    • Spaghetti Towers
    • Auto Maintenence MB
  • Donations/Payment Links
  • Activities
    • Troop Meeting Activities
    • Outdoor Activity Resources
    • Camping
    • Hiking and Backpacking
    • Bike Outings
  • About
    • FAQ
    • History
    • Eagle Scouts
    • Who We Are - Scouts
    • Who We Are - Adults
    • BSA Program
      • Outdoor Program
      • Patrols
      • Advancement
      • Leadership
      • Youth Leadership Positions
      • Personal Growth
      • Adult Association
      • Uniform
    • Behavior Standards
    • Historical Photos
      • Winter
      • Dungeness Bay – March 2016
      • Umtanum Creek 2016
      • Spencer Spit 2016
      • Barclay Lake January 2015
      • Lena Lake 2012
      • Banks Lake 2011
  • Resources
    • New Scouts Checklist
    • Forms
    • Medical
    • Safety
    • Leave No Trace
    • Gear and Equipment
      • Packing Lists
      • 10 Essentials
      • Knives
        • Classic Folding Knives
        • Scout Folding Knives
        • Lock Blade Knives
        • Bushcraft Knives
        • Sheath Knives
        • Multi-Tools
      • Firestarters
      • Backpacks
      • Sleeping Gear
      • Cooking Gear
      • Hiking Gear
      • Backpacking Gear
      • Canoeing Gear
      • Snowpacking Gear
      • 2021 Gear Gift Guide
    • Scout Advancement
      • Rank Advancement
      • Merit Badge Resources
      • Other Merit Badge Resources
      • Scout Awards
    • Adult Leader Training
    • Order of the Arrow
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • Photo Gallery
    • Calendar
    • Troop News
      • Rudransh's Eagle Project
      • Snow Camping 2025
      • Camp Pigott Summer Camp 2024
      • May Backpacking 2024
      • Mateo's Eagle Project
      • Deception Pass Campouit
      • Canoes
      • Snow Camping 2024
      • Scouting for Food 2024
      • Street Cleanup 2025
    • Troop Archives
      • Camp Easton Summer Camp
      • Court of Honor
      • Crossover Campout
      • Welcoming New Crossovers
      • Winter Camping
      • Scout Night at the SIlvertips
      • Tree Recycling
      • Troop 49 Halloween Party
      • Troop 49 Fire Mountain Weebloree
      • Bear Lake Backpacking Trip
      • Baker Lake Canoe Adventure
      • Geocaching Merit Badge
      • Camp Pigott Campout
      • Braden Frost: Eagle Court
      • Alpha's Bike Bash: ServiceProject
      • Steamboat Slough Canoe Exploration
      • NYLT 2022
      • Summer Camp - Fire Mountain: August 2022
      • Whitewater Rafting 2022
      • Camp Baldwin - Summer Camp 2022
      • Court Of Honor: June 2022
      • Steamboat Slough Recon
      • Kachess Canoe Adventure
      • 2022 Pack 59 Crossover
      • 2022 Canoe Adventures
      • Order of the Arrow Summer Banquet
      • June 2022 Canoe Training
      • Exploration Merit Badge 2022
      • Troop of the Year
      • Memorial Day Veterans Park 2022
      • Pack 11 Crossover
      • Adopt A Street Clean Up May 2022
      • Fire Mountain Camporee 2022
      • Second Chance Leave No Trace 101
      • April Canoe Training
      • Leave No Trace 101
      • 2022 Crossovers
      • Shooting Sports
      • Wilderness First Aid
      • Shooting Sports Weekend
      • Fire Mountain Crossover
      • First Aid Merit Badge
      • Top Chef
      • Winter Skills Adventure Program
      • Virtual University of Scouting - Inland Northwest Council - March 12
      • Spring Merit Badge Day - May 7
      • Snow Sports Merit Badge
      • Virtual Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
      • Jan22 Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
      • Trees 2022
      • Meet the Troops 2022
      • Citizenship in Society Merit Badge 2022
      • Winter Skills Adventure Program
      • Holiday Merit Badges
      • Dec 2 Medicine Merit Badge
      • Tree Planting with Sound Salmon Solutions
      • Thomas D Eagle Scout Project
      • Medicine and Health Care Professions Merit Badges
      • Veterans Day at Washelli
      • New Website
      • STEM Month
      • Back Indoors
      • Wilderness Survival
      • Wilderness First Aid Fall 2021
      • Winter Skills Adventure Program 2022
      • Medicine Merit Badge
      • Wilderness Survival
      • Shooting Sports Day
      • Boardman Lake
      • Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
      • Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge
      • 2021 Canoe Adventure
      • Geocaching Merit Badge
      • Canoe Basic Training 2021
      • Camp Parsons 2021
      • Camp Emerald Bay 2021
      • Adventure Week at Fire Mountain 2021
      • Backpacking John Wayne Trail
      • Exploration Merit Badge
      • Washelli May 2021
      • Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge
      • Pets Merit Badge
      • Nuclear Science Merit Badge
      • Wilderness First Aid Spring 2021
      • Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping Merit Badges
      • Fire Mountain Spring 2021
      • Geocaching and Orienteering Merit Badges
      • Theater Merit Badge
      • Fire Mountain Clean Up
      • Orienteering Merit Badge
      • Winter Skills Adventure Program 2021
      • Tougher Scout Challenge
      • 2020 Virtual Camp-In
      • Search and Rescue Merit Badge
      • Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge
      • Rifle Shooting Merit Badge
      • Personal Fitness Merit Badge
      • Medicine Merit Badge Virtual Class
      • Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
      • Personal Management Merit Badge
      • First Aid Merit Badge
      • National BSA Camp-In
      • Mount Baker Council Virtual CamporALL
      • Gardening Merit Badge
      • Troop 49 First Aid Merit Badge
      • Public Service Merit Badge
      • Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
      • Scouting@Home
      • Local Campout
      • Covid-19
      • Winter Camping Skill 2020
      • Snow Campout 2020
      • LAN Jam 2020
      • Annual Health and Medical Record
      • Christmas Tree Recycling
      • Summer Camp 2020
      • Never do for a boy what he can do for himself
      • Cyber Chip requirements for Scout and Star Ranks
      • Be prepared for life
      • Leadership is not about being in charge
      • Archived Photo May 22 2016
      • Archived Photo May 20 2016
      • Archived Photo May 19 2016
      • Spencer Spit 2016
      • Camp Pigott 2015
      • Lynnwood memorial honors service in Korean War
      • Banks Lake 2011
      • Archived Photo March 10 2016
      • Barclay Lake
      • Archived Photo February 8 2016
      • Troop History
      • Archived Photo May 19 2016
      • Dungeness Bay – March 2016
      • Klondike 2004
      • Winter Camping Seminar Field Trip - 09 - Group shot at Paradise
      • Umtanum Spring 2012
      • Lina Lake 2012
      • Snoqualmie 2012
      • “Taps” and “To the Color”
      • Archived Photos May 19 2016
      • Camano Island 2020
      • NYLT
      • Spaghetti Towers
      • Auto Maintenence MB
    • Donations/Payment Links
    • Activities
      • Troop Meeting Activities
      • Outdoor Activity Resources
      • Camping
      • Hiking and Backpacking
      • Bike Outings
    • About
      • FAQ
      • History
      • Eagle Scouts
      • Who We Are - Scouts
      • Who We Are - Adults
      • BSA Program
        • Outdoor Program
        • Patrols
        • Advancement
        • Leadership
        • Youth Leadership Positions
        • Personal Growth
        • Adult Association
        • Uniform
      • Behavior Standards
      • Historical Photos
        • Winter
        • Dungeness Bay – March 2016
        • Umtanum Creek 2016
        • Spencer Spit 2016
        • Barclay Lake January 2015
        • Lena Lake 2012
        • Banks Lake 2011
    • Resources
      • New Scouts Checklist
      • Forms
      • Medical
      • Safety
      • Leave No Trace
      • Gear and Equipment
        • Packing Lists
        • 10 Essentials
        • Knives
          • Classic Folding Knives
          • Scout Folding Knives
          • Lock Blade Knives
          • Bushcraft Knives
          • Sheath Knives
          • Multi-Tools
        • Firestarters
        • Backpacks
        • Sleeping Gear
        • Cooking Gear
        • Hiking Gear
        • Backpacking Gear
        • Canoeing Gear
        • Snowpacking Gear
        • 2021 Gear Gift Guide
      • Scout Advancement
        • Rank Advancement
        • Merit Badge Resources
        • Other Merit Badge Resources
        • Scout Awards
      • Adult Leader Training
      • Order of the Arrow
    • Contact Us

Gear and Equipment

Firestarters

Fire starting is an invaluable skill, and one of the most important ones to master in the wilderness, especially in the Pacific Northwest.  We discuss basic and advanced methods of Firestarting in our Wilderness Survival classes.  That said, having the right gear will make firestarting much easier. 

Scouts should have at least 2 methods for starting a fire on them on all outings. 

Flame

In order to start any fire, you need to create a flame.  There are many ways to achieve this and a scouts should have 2 methods on them. 

Butane Lighter

A lighter is hard to beat for starting a fire.  It produces instantaneous flame and can be used to start many fires.

Butane lighters do have some limitations

  • Easily blown out by wind

  • Fail to work in subfreezing temperatures

  • Stop sparking when wet

But with some basic Wilderness knowhow, Scouts will learn how to use these in harsh environments as well as advanced techniques of starting fires with working and dead lighters. 

Example:

  • Bic Mini 

  • Most lighters work fine

  • Bic is a dependable brand

  • Also comes in many colors - bright ones are preferred 

BIC Mini Lighter

Image: us.bic.com

Stormproof Matches

Quality windproof matches are hard to beat. 

Examples:

  • UCO Survival Stormproof Match Kit 

  • 15 windproof and waterproof matches

  • 12 second burn time

  • Titan Stormproof Match Kit 

  • 12 jumbo sized windproof and waterproof matches

  • Each match burns for 25 seconds - which is a big deal

  • If you can't start a fire with these, you can't start a fire

UCO Titan Stormproof Match Kit

Image: ucogear.com

Ferrorod

A ferrocerium rod is a classic way for starting a fire with a spark.  It takes a good amount of skill and practice to master.  And once learned, a ferrorod can be used to start a 1000 fires. 

Ferrocerium rod are waterproof (although you should not store wet) and very durable. 

Example:

  • LMF Swedish FireSteel BIO scout 2in1

    • Good Ferrorod

    • Great for honing basic survival skills

  • Many different options

Swedish FireSteel BIO scout 2in1

Image: lightmyfire.com

Magnesium Bar

Magnesium burns at around 4000°F and is easily ignited with a spark from a ferrorod.  This is a favorite survival tool used by the US military as it works well in many environments and is durable and waterproof.  

The catch is - use requires knowhow, prep work and patience 

Example:

  • Doan Magnesium Fire Starter

    • Used by US Military

    • Excellent survival tool but difficult for most scouts to use 

    • Good for older scouts

    • NOTE: Chinese copies of this particular fire starter often don't work

Doan Magnesium Fire Starter Tool

Image: amazon.com

Spark-Lite

This is a favorite for ultralight hikers and has been included in many military survival kits.  The Spark-Lite is good minimalist/aviation option, but requires special tinder or advanced firestarting skills.  

For scouts, this system teaches them how to use basic skills to start a fire.  With these skills, they can use an empty lighter to start a life-saving fire. 

Example:

  • Spark-Lites 

    • Used by US Military

    • Minimalist system

    • Requires special tinder and skill to master

Spark-Lite Firestarter

Image: fourseasonssurvival.com

Other Fire Starters

There are many other fire starting tools available, and we discuss use of these in our Wilderness Survival Classes.  Other systems are not listed as they may not be practical for various reasons:

  • Not suitable for local environment

  • Requires high level of skill to use

  • Impractical 

  • Undependable

  • Excessively expensive

  • Dangerous for younger scouts

  • Silly 

ESEE Fire Steel

Image: eseeknives.com

Tinder

Tinder and fuel is needed to get a fire going.  We show scouts how to make natural tinder, but this can be challenging when it is wet out. 

Scouts should have at least one of these and know how to use it. 

Fiber Tabs

There are several different versions of these.  Fibers can be fluffed up to take a spark,  They burn long enough to get a fire started.

Homemade versions can be made out of cotton balls/pads/lint and petroleum jelly. 

Examples:

  • TinderQuik

  • SOL Tinder Quik 

  • Fast Fire Stick 

Ropes and twine made from natural fibers also burns well and easily takes a spark once unraveled.  Ropes treated with paraffin will burn much longer. 

  • Überleben Tindår Wick (Idaho company with Scandi name)

  • Jumbo Tinder Ropes

  • Untreated natural fiber rope 

TinderQuik Fire Starting Tabs

Image: 5col.com

Fuel Tabs

Used to cook meals, these are great at getting stubborn fuels to burn.  Alone they can be used to heat up and nice hot brew.

These will generally ignite with a spark after being roughened up with the back of a knife. 

Examples:

  • ESBIT

  • Hexamine Fuel Tabs

  • UST WetFire

  • FireDragon Solid Fuel 

TinderQuik Fire Starting Tabs

Image: esbit.de

Treated Biofuel

There are many options that combine wax and sawdust or rope to make a long burning candle of sorts. 

Scouts can make these at home with a little supervision. 

These generally need a flame to ignite, but with proper processing, these can be started with a spark. 

Examples:

  • UCO Sweetfire 

  • Lightning Nugget Firestarters 

Lightning Nugget Firestarters

Image: rei.com

Fatwood

Resinous wood from Pine Trees and some other conifer trees makes an excellent fire starter.  Techniques used for this tinder requires a bit of knowhow and is taught it in our Wilderness Survival classes. 

Process fatwood can be easily ignited with a spark.  Slivers of fatwood make great long burning matches for firestarting. 

A little stick goes a long ways.

If you are savvy, you can harvest this from a rotten Fir stump or a fallen Pine. 

Doan Magnesium Fire Starter Tool

Image: betterwoodproducts.com

Duct Tape

Duct Tape as many uses.  It is also very flammable and can be used as a firestarter.  It produces nasty smoke, it is great option in an emergency situation. 

With proper processing, these can ignite with a spark.  That said, most scouts will need a flame to set this tinder on fire. 

Duct tape can be wrapped around a water bottle of pencil for easy storage.  Wrapping some around your butane lighter creates a nice firestarter/tinder combo. 

Duck Tape

Image: duckbrand.com

Rubber Bands aka Ranger Bands

Wide rubber bands made from bicycle innertubes have multiple uses. They can be used to hold gear together and are also very flammable.  Once lit, it produces a nasty flame, but works great for starting fires if needed in an emergency. 

A flame is needed to start this tinder option on fire. 

Examples:

  • Just cut up an old innertube into bands

  • 5col's Skog Ranger Bands 

5col's Skog Ranger Bands

Image: duckbrand.com

Updated Firestarter Gear List

Boy Scouts of America

Mount Baker Council

Salish Sea District

Scouting Supplies

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