I used to be in boy scouts - and I've done desert and winter survival courses. The winter course was pretty cool, 24 hours in the bush - building shelter and fire and shit.

A friend and I couldn't get a fire going once. So we decided to go into a field that had been plowed and contained dried up corn ears.
That got the fire going.
Then it started to spread out of control. Wider and wider, bigger and bigger.
^True story.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Can't wait to try this stuff out. BTW, anyone ever read "The Hatchet?" Really good book.

lol, grass fire!

Pretty much - when you're out in the bush, the trick is to think small to get the fire started, and burn progressivly larger. If you need to be rescued, start a forest fire if you have to. Also remember that DRY wood burns best - wet wood will sizzle and smoke for hours before actually burning and catching a flame. Dead or rotten wood is flammable, as are most barks, but remember, the key is DRY.

Double Post:
Nod - but for this kind of stuff, read "the psychology of wilderness survival" by Dr. Gino Ferri (haha, his name is awesome)