How to Create Fire With a Magnifying Glass

Whether you're in the woods alone or merely trying to camp as simply as possible, one of your biggest challenges will be creating fire without matches or accelerants. While rubbing two sticks or banging two rocks together are plausible options, they require a lot of practice and probably a scout badge or two. An easier solution with a higher chance of success is using a magnifying glass to create a flame.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass
• Combustible material

Instructions

1. Clear an area for the fire. To contain the fire, limit any dry items to the material you want to use for the fire. Clear the rest of the area to dirt, if possible. If rocks are available, creating a fire circle with them is a good way to contain your fire.

2. Collect combustible material. Dry grass and leaves are best for starters. They should be as dry as possible. If you're using leaves, grind them down to fine particles to help them burn better. You'll want small, dry twigs to feed the fire as you build it. If you want to use the fire for cooking or staying warm, collect larger pieces of dry wood to burn once you get your fire going.

3. Stack dry grass and leaves into a small pile. Place the magnifying glass above the pile so a circle of light shines onto the base the pile. Adjust the angle of the glass so that the circle of light is as small as possible. The light is also heat, so you want as much heat focused on as small a spot as possible for the best chance of ignition.

4. Be patient. Depending on the strength of the sun, the dryness of your materials and the focal strength of your lens, it may take a few minutes for the action to start. As the pile starts to smolder, you may need to encourage it by providing more oxygen. You can do this by gently fanning or blowing the glowing areas of the pile.

5. Build slowly. As the flames start, add more dry grass and leaves. Don't add too quickly, or you will smother the fire. Once the flame grows, you can begin to add the twigs and other wood. Again, resist the urge to build quickly, or you will cut off the oxygen supply and smother the flame.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin the fire at the bottom of the pile of leaves and grass so that the heat rises, igniting the grass and leaves higher in the pile.