I teach survival. I live in Malaysia and our jungle is the Equatorial Rain Forest,  which is usually damp.  Hand road flares is something I would put in my pack in case I need to make fire or signal immediately.  It really helps to make a fire after or during rain.  It also helps to ward off wild animals. 
The road flare that comes from Japanese Imported Cars usually lasts about 15 minutes.  All you have to do is split the wood into smaller pieces,  placing skinned kindlings between them and just place the road flare there.  
The heat generatef helps to dry the damp wood (wood underneath the bark are usually dry or damp) and catches fire after about 3 to 5 minutes. 
I have never failed to get a fire starting and I only do this on an emergency.  Road flares are expensive here.