I chuckled at Tom's post, which is perfectly valid in the contemporary era. In the old days, when campfire were routine, we learned the old fashioned way, by trial and error, learning about the necessity of absolutely dry materials, etc.

Fire building remains an absolutely vital outdoor skill. In my SAR experience, the ability to ignite a fire was the difference all too often between the quick and the dead. However, today it very easy to carry a stove to accomplish the same purpose. Fires do leave scars. Badly managed and done at the wrong place and time, they become epic disasters.

So, learn the skill, apply it carefully, and carry a stove.

Final note: There are situations where even lighting a commercial stove can be dangerous. That is when I stay out of the woods and read a good book or watch the playoffs...