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HomeSurvivalFire

Some Uses of Fire

by Storm

I'm wondering if you can add to this list. Surely there are a lot of uses that I've not thought of...

Heat/Flame

  • straighten spindles and shafts
  • warmth
  • forcing animals into a preferred direction (hunting)
  • modifying vegetation landscape (farming, coppicing)
  • rendering food palatable/digestible
  • coalburning containers
  • water purification
  • cauterizing wounds
  • removing seed chaff
  • modifying wood, stone and bone for use as tools/handles
  • soften materials to bend and to make easier to modify with tools
  • scarification tattoos
  • hardening the points wooden tools/weapons
  • melting hardened substances for use
  • Dry out your clothes after falling into the drink

Smoke

  • communication at distance
  • waterproofing tanned hides
  • food preservation
  • a carrier for inhalant medicines
  • repel insects
  • food preserver

Ash/Char/Soot

  • charcoal for easier future firebuilding
  • mineral paint
  • medicine
  • salt
  • toothpaste
  • slipping hair from hides  deodorizer

Light

  • seeing in the dark
  • communication at distance
  • keeping animals out of camp
  • psychological security

 

by Storm www.stoneageskills.com; material added by others