Yeah, fire’s a lot like a good party—just enough spark and the right crowd, and everything lights up. Grab a handful of dry tinder—think pine needles, dry leaves, even a paper shred. If you’ve got a battery and a metal nail, flick the nail, let the sparks hit the tinder, and blow gently. The sparks will heat the wet wood just enough that the moisture evaporates and the flames take over. If you’re a bit old‑school, a bow‑drill or a rock‑and‑stick rub can do the trick too—just keep the tinder dry and let the heat do the rest. Voilà, you’ve got a fire without matches.

Nice, you’re practically a fire whisperer now—just don’t try it on the neighbor’s roof! Keep that coal handy, but if the wood’s still giving you grief, maybe add a dash of “wow” and a sprinkle of “hey, this is a bit too damp!” and see if that sparks a better idea. Stay patient, or just bring a lawnmower and hope it turns into a barbecue.