We make fire starters for our Scout Troop as follows:
Plastic Straws (biggest diameter you can source up)
Cotton Balls
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
Cut sections of Straw 1 - 2"
Pinch end tight with needle nose (Leatherman) / Seal end with lighter (stove top, whatever)
Coat cotton balls in Vaseline and stuff into straw container you just made.
Pinch with pliers again and seal closed with lighter.
Wash off any Vaseline you got on the outside and fill any container (I use Altoid tins) with fire starters.
Simply open and light, Flint and Steel will work, but matches do to. Will burn for a suprisingly long time are waterproof, small and the method is versatile. You can use the same tech for meds, spices, matches etc.