Making Fire In A Windy Place

This was related by my father-in-law who used to hunt deer and wild boar in the mountains. He said that when it is windy, it is so difficult to start a fire even when you have a match. What they do is to huddle together (they are usually at least 4 in the group) with the pile of sticks over dried leaves in the middle. As the lighted matchstick touches the dry leaves, the pile will ignite But when the strong wind comes, the fire will be extinguished. It is like hide and seek. They wait until there is a lull of the wind before lighting up the matchstick.

 

In my area what we do is put the leaves under a lengthwise-cut half of bamboo to protect it from winds. The bamboo also acts as the kindling for the fire.

 

Making a fire in an open area is kind of tricky specially if the wind is strong. Sometimes people try to dig or make a hole and make a fire there. Or, find some things that can help in diverting the wind so it won't directly hit the fire.