How to Make Fire Using a Magnifying Glass

Start a campfire using a simple magnifying glass.

If you are going camping, it is helpful to know how to successfully make a fire in order to boil water, cook and stay warm. If you will be staying in a sunny location, you do not need to carry a fire-making kit with you to make a fire. Instead, all you need is a small amount of dry moss and a magnifying glass. The lens of a magnifying glass can concentrate the sun's light, generating enough heat to start a fire.

Things You'll Need

• Dry moss
• Magnifying glass

Instructions

1. Place a piece of dry moss onto a large rock. Make sure the moss is completely dry and brittle.

2. Hold the magnifying glass above the moss and direct the refracted sunlight onto it.

3. Raise or lower the magnifying glass while tilting it until you get a sharp, pinpoint focus of concentrated light on the moss.

4. Hold the magnifying glass steadily in this position until the moss begins to smolder and catch flame.

Tips & Warnings

• Starting a fire with a magnifying glass works better on a very sunny day.

• Avoid starting a fire in an area designated as high risk for forest fires.

• Keep all branches and grasses away from the moss before you set it on fire.

• Have water or a fire extinguisher ready in case the fire accidentally spreads.

References

• Wild Wood Survival: Magnifying Glass Lens

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish