another great fire starter is pine(lighternot). Its hard to get in my area so I had a thought. I went around to all the little christmas tree tands and collected all the bottoms cut off of the trees. Also old chrismas trees can be recycled into logs.
I carry an 18th century-ish flint and steel kit. Char-cloth, a small hunk of of flint and a piece of steel all fit in a small little tin and works great.
Another option is 00 steel wool and a 9-volt battery. Hold the steel wool across the posts of the battery and it will glow and then start a flame. Not overly practical though as the battery will eventually die in your pack.
When I hunt in Western Oregon or Alaska I always carry a can of Sterno in my pack. It gives an hour or more of a hot flame. It almost took a blow-torch to start a fire there and the sterno always worked. Light the sterno, stack your kindling then bigger sticks over the top of it. It would start a good fire in a few minutes.
Dorito's, No kidding! Next time you are eating a bag, Light one.
You will be suprised!
