Improve your chances, Tip # 4

Keep a lighter in your pocket or bag, even if you don't smoke. A bic will light over 3000 times. If you don't accidentally press the thumb bar down and let all the gas out, you might never use it up. Pretty good investment for $1.

Fire lens

I really struggled with this method. There are so many anecdotal accounts of kids burning down neighborhoods trying to fry ants... I thought it would be super simple. There is actually a finese to it -certain materials work best, the ember must be coaxed a particular way. This lady fire is a fickle hellcat.