Although it’s unlikely that most of us will find ourselves in the extreme circumstances that prompted Jack London’s nameless protagonist of “To Build a Fire” to attempt that very thing, there will always be a camping trip or bonfire moment in our lives where no one has thought to bring along matches, and panic starts to set in. Here are a couple of very different fire-starting tricks, the successes of which are bound to spark admiration as well as flames. The GIY Guide does want to point out that due to the use of modern materials, none of these options can be particularly construed as “green” in a way that an old-fashioned bow drill can be, but seeing as the bow drill can take days to master, let alone build, chances are you’re not going to break it out at your next BBQ. However, a great tutorial for one can be found in John McPherson’s Primitive Wilderness Skills (Prairie Wolf, 1996) or online at www.wildwoodsurvival.com.

Flashlight Firestarter

Hopefully you didn’t forget your flashlight along with the matches. Unscrew the top (the bigger the better), then remove both the protective lens and the bulb from the cone-shaped reflective surface. Poke a quick-burning scrap of newspaper, shredded bark, or other potential tinder through the hole where the lightbulb usually lives then hold the whole thing up to the sun. At the right angle the concentrated rays will reflect directly onto the tinder scrap which will then spark enough for you to introduce the ember to your waiting firepit.

Sandwich Bag Firestarter

Here’s another quick and easy reflector. Grab a clear plastic sandwich bag and fill with water. Tie closed then hold above the tinder pile of an unlit fire. The reflected sunlight will cause the tinder to spark from which an actual flame should be easily coaxed.

Lighter Flint Firestarter

Maybe you did bring a disposable lighter—but it’s out of fuel and won’t work. Simply pry off the metal guard, and wrap a piece of newspaper around the top, just underneath the exposed flint wheel. Quickly roll the wheel against a hard, flat surface—you should get some sparks. Maneuver the paper to catch one, and introduce ember to your firepit.