What is the function of kindling in a fire setup?

Kindling plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a fire. It consists of small, dry sticks or twigs that easily catch fire from the heat provided by the tinder, which is the initial material ignited to start the fire. Once the tinder is burning, the kindling catches fire and burns at a higher temperature than the tinder, which helps to ignite larger pieces of wood or more substantial fuel sources.

The process contributes to a more sustained and controllable fire. Without kindling, the fire may struggle to grow, as larger pieces of wood require more heat to ignite, and they may not catch fire solely from the initial heat of burning tinder. Hence, kindling is essential for transitioning from the initial flame of the tinder to a larger, sustained fire.