One of the things I try to do is make sure I start with a completely and evenly lit cherry. After I toast the foot, I will keep turning the cigar around and keep blowing gently on the end to make sure I see orange all the way across.

Usually there's a section that isn't lit on the first try, generally on the periphery. I will focus my torch or lighter on that section and take more puffs.

More often than not, the end of the cigar actually catches on fire! I always blow it out quickly, but nevertheless it happens quite often.

How can I avoid this?

Also, sometimes while I'm smoking the cigar I've noticed that the wrapper turns black and bubbles a bit just ahead of the burn line. Does this mean the cigar is too humid? I've read about blistering, but I'm not sure that is what this is, or what is causing it with some cigars and not others.