How Does Fire Start, Spread and Extinguish?

Fire has long been central to human culture, used for warmth, cooking, and warding off predators. It can create a magical ambiance with its dancing flames, whether it’s a log burning in a wood-burning fireplace or the glowing lights of an eco-friendly bioethanol fire pit. But fire is also a natural phenomenon that provides a number of important biological and psychological benefits to animals, plants, and people.

For a fire to exist there must be three elements present: Heat, Oxygen and Fuel. The chemical reaction that produces fire is combustion, which occurs when any combustible material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber or many plastics, is subjected to sufficient heat. This heating causes the molecules in these materials to break apart and mix with oxygen in the air to produce gasses. These gases can be ignited to produce a flame, which then spreads from the source of the heat (such as a candle or fireplace) into the room.

Once a fire is established, it will continue to burn until the fuel supply is consumed or it is extinguished. A fire can be extinguished by cooling it, which removes its energy and halts the chemical reaction. This is why it is so dangerous to leave a fire unattended; the intense heat from the flames and surrounding fumes can melt skin, scorch fabrics and incinerate objects in minutes.

If a person or animal is burned, cool water must be applied to the burn area immediately. This will help prevent shock and reduce pain. It is also critical to call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the victim has breathing problems.

The fire triangle is critical to understanding how a fire starts, spreads and extinguishes. It takes just a few minutes for a small fire to spread to a residence and be completely engulfed in flames. Similarly, it can take only a few minutes for black smoke to fill the home and make it almost impossible to breathe.

Wildfires are a part of nature, but controlled burns (burns that are carefully planned and performed with strict safety parameters) can protect homes, crops and communities, while preserving wildlife habitat. In fact, some plant and animal species depend on fire to survive, including lodgepole pine seeds, lupine flowers, and the Karner blue butterfly caterpillar.

Taking steps to prevent a fire can be as simple as keeping combustible items away from the sides of your house, having your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly and cleaning out the lint trap in your dryer. It’s also important to conduct an inventory of all items in your home and start saving receipts for any purchases related to the cleanup and replacement of your property and belongings that may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company or tax deduction.