In one word, this man dies because he is stupid. He is a newcomer to Alaska "this was his first winter" (London), and he disregards the advice of other, more seasoned Alaskans before he sets out on his journey
London proves this with "To Build a Fire" because the character in this story comes face-to-face with natural laws that kill him. Sam Baskett claims that London makes a comment on life, which is "horror" (Baskett 227)
The vast artic wilderness demonstrates London's point perfectly. Robert Spiller claims that London is a "storyteller extraordinary to William Randolph Hearst" (Spiller 1037)
The character in this story simply cannot be imaginative enough to save his own life. Jill Widdicombe agrees with this notion, adding, "Rational or not, the man's behavior is what makes 'To Build a Fire' such a powerful story" (Widdicombe)
Yet as the narration states: 'The trouble with him is that he had no imagination.' Thus he commits mistakes leading to his death" (Woodward)
One of London's strongest points in his fiction is his use of place and setting. "To Build a Fire" contains a definite sense of place, "where a dim and little-traveled trail led eastward through the fat spruce timberland" (London 341)