Cut up strips of old bicycle tires and inner tubes make lightweight, waterproof fire starters. The inner tubes cut up more easily than the tires, but the tire strips last longer because they are thicker. A six inch section of an inner tube will burn about five minutes. Three small quarter-inch strips of tire will burn about seven minutes and is difficult for the wind to blow out.
Cut the inner tube into sections by cutting crosswise with a regular pair of scissors. Toss it in you BOB as is. The tire takes more work. Cut the tire crosswise with a hacksaw. Then with strong scissors cut out the circular wire that is on both sides of the tire (where the tire meets the rim.) With the wire removed (it take about five minutes) you can then cut the tire crosswise into quarter-inch strips. They burn hot and long and when wet. But it does take a lighter or match or perpot to start them.
Where to find them? If you don't have any, dumpster dive behind a bike shop some Sunday morning or a holiday. One tire will yield a lot of fire starter (three little pieces is all it takes.) Car tires and tubes can be used the same way but are much harder to cut up.
Cut the inner tube into sections by cutting crosswise with a regular pair of scissors. Toss it in you BOB as is. The tire takes more work. Cut the tire crosswise with a hacksaw. Then with strong scissors cut out the circular wire that is on both sides of the tire (where the tire meets the rim.) With the wire removed (it take about five minutes) you can then cut the tire crosswise into quarter-inch strips. They burn hot and long and when wet. But it does take a lighter or match or perpot to start them.
Where to find them? If you don't have any, dumpster dive behind a bike shop some Sunday morning or a holiday. One tire will yield a lot of fire starter (three little pieces is all it takes.) Car tires and tubes can be used the same way but are much harder to cut up.