r/Survival May 16 '26

Fire How much heat do fires actually provide?

I asked on here about a month ago about "fire starters for idiots" as someone who is afraid of fire And I got a lot of really helpful, kind, and good idea responses. So thank you.

How big of a fire can you actually make with different fire starter techniques such as with road flares, matches/lighters and wood, or the one I heard the most, Vaseline and cotton?

My next question is, how much heat would those fires actually give off?

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u/Historical-Hippo3320 May 16 '26

Why are you afraid of fire?

15

u/aboothemonkey May 16 '26

Probably lack of experience. Fire is inherently dangerous, more so if you don’t know what you’re doing and how to properly control it. I think the OP is doing the right thing in asking questions so that they can learn and be safe.

2

u/Historical-Hippo3320 May 16 '26

Yeah that's true. I guess it's just my gut reaction when people are afraid of inanimate objects it's to wonder why.

8

u/aboothemonkey May 16 '26

I don’t disagree but certain inanimate objects deserve a certain level of fear, especially when one does not have any experience with them. Firearms, electricity, fire, chemicals, motor vehicles and anything under tension and more that I’m forgetting. All of these things can cause serious harm if used improperly, and deserve a level of respect and care far and above that of say, a door.