Sunlight Fires

Advanced Scout Skill

Using sunlight to start fires is a great survival tools to have in your back pocket.  Unfortunately, it is NOT a reliable option in the Pacific Northwest where you may be soaking wet and either have too much cloud cover or need to start a fire at night.

Sunlight Fire Tools

You will need a magnifier to start a fire.  Many options are available.

Lens

• Magnifying glass

• Fresnel lens (credit card sized magnifying lens)

• Magnifying lens on compass

• Reading glasses

• Prescription glasses

• Lens from binoculars

• Ziplock bag filled with water and then twisted to form a sphere (does not need to be perfectly round to work)

  • Urine will also work, but that's just gross - especially when your bag starts to leak

• Clear marble

• Ice shaped into a sphere

• Clear water bottle with curved top - hold upside down and angle just right to create a focal point

Concave Reflector

A concave reflector can be used to create a focal point where light is concentrated.  This was classically done with a flashlight reflector and a cigarette.  Obviously cigarettes aren't generally available on Scout outings, so other tinder can be used in place of the cigarette.  To optimize use, aim the reflector at the sun. 

Fire Starting Technique

The trick to starting a fire with sunlight is to create an ember instead of a flame.  Once you create an ember, use that ember to ignite a tinder bundle.

Sunlight Embers

Fine, dry and dark tinder works best

• Char cloth

• Charred wood

• Dry dung (cow patties)

• Black print on paper

Other tinders will also work, but may need a little more patience. 

• Dry grass

• Jute fibers from twine

• Coconut husk

• Dry pine needles 

• Paper stained with charcoal or a bit of dirt

Focal Point and Patience 

The next key point is finding a focal point.  Angle your magnifier perpendicular with the sun and figure out where it's focal point is.  Make your focal point as small and round as possible.  

Use a stick to hold your lens at the perfect angle to optimize your focal point on your tinder.  Using a stick is much steadier than you trying to hold your lens still with your hands.  It also keeps your head and face out of the path of sunlight and allows your eyes to take a break from staring at the super bright focal point. 

Depending on the quality of your tinder, type of lens and intensity of the sun, it can take several minutes to create an ember.