In wet conditions, add cooking oil or petroleum jelly to materials like cotton balls to make a DIY fire starter. If you’re planning ahead, pack steel wool or magnesium shavings to include in your tinder. They burn hot and help dry out firewood in wet conditions. [3] X Research source Pack or collect about 4 times as much tinder as you’d normally need to start a wet wood fire. [4] X Research source

If you can only find wet twigs, shave off the outer layers with a knife to get to the dry center. [7] X Research source The ideal kindling sticks are thinner than the width of an adult finger and around 6 inches (15 cm) long. If necessary, use a hatchet to split large logs open, revealing the dry wood inside. Then shave off dry pieces to use as kindling. [8] X Research source

In a pinch, lay a knife perpendicular to the log you want to split and “baton” it (tap the knife with a sturdy log) through the log to split it. [10] X Research source

The added height also increases air flow to your fire, which is essential for starting one with wet wood. If you build your platform with logs, they will eventually dry out and be able to burn too.

The teepee shape helps you build your fire upward, away from the wet ground, while still allowing ample air flow.

The top side of the logs should be level with or slightly taller than the top of the kindling teepee. If they’re not, stack another log on top to achieve that height. Stack 2 more logs on top of the base layer. Lay them perpendicular to the bottom logs to create a criss-cross or hashtag shape. [15] X Research source

The driest logs on the bottom will burn first, which will help dry out the wetter logs on top. [17] X Research source If it’s windy, make a shield with a stack of wet logs. This keeps the heat from blowing out of the fire and offers additional protection from the elements. [18] X Research source

Add more layers gradually rather than all at once. This will ensure you don’t accidentally smother the fire. Enjoy your fire! As long as you continue to dry out your wood ahead of time, you’ll be able to keep your fire bright, hot, and healthy all night long.

Feel the temperature around the coals, embers, or burnt wood with your hands. If any of it is too hot to touch, then the fire is too hot to leave unattended. [22] X Research source