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{{otheruses|fire (disambiguation)}}



[[Image:Forestfire2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A forest fire]]
[[Image:Large bonfire.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A large [[bonfire]] might be confused with a [[wildfire]].]]

'''Fire''' is a self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by heat and light in the form of a glow or flames. It is commonly used to describe either a [[fuel]] in a state of [[combustion]] (e.g., a [[campfire]], or a lit [[fireplace]] or [[stove]]) or a violent, destructive and uncontrolled burning (e.g., in [[building]]s and [[automobile]]s, or a [[wildfire]]). The discovery of [[making fire]] is considered one of the most important elements in the progression of humankind, for it let higher hominids ward off wild animals, kill insects, cook food and provide warmth.  

A '''conflagration''' is a large, uncontrollable fire. It may affect many buildings in an urban setting, or burn many acres in a rural area.  The phenomenon of the [[firestorm]], or fire raining from the sky, often fuels such large fires.

==Uncontrolled fire==
[[Image:ControlFire.jpg|thumb|300px|right| No special tools are required to control a moderate [[bonfire]]. The wood stick is used to move burning logs. The rug protects the hair from flaming.]]
[[Image:Log in fireplace.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A log burning in a [[fireplace]] requires almost no control.]]

[[Image:Flaming cocktails.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Flaming" cocktails contain a small amount of flammable [[alcoholic proof|high-proof alcohol]] which is ignited prior to consumption.]]
{{splitsection}}
The self sustaining nature of fire makes it extremely dangerous if uncontrolled. Fire can consume structures and trees and can severely injure or kill living beings through [[burn]]s or [[smoke inhalation]]. An uncontrolled fire can be started by a lightning during a thunderstorm or by eruption of a [[volcano]]. However, an uncontrolled fire may be easily caused by humans; the origin may be a war or a poorly operated power plant, as well as just a cigarette dropped by a careless smoker. Most common reasons are [[cooking]] accidents, [[electricity|electrical]] faults, [[fuel]] leaks, the misuse of lighters and/or matches, and accidents involving [[candle]]s. Fire can propagate rapidly to other structures, especially where proper [[building standards]] are not met. Outside of urban settings, [[wildfire]]s can consume large areas of [[forest]] and brush and often damage nearby settlements.
[[Fire ecology]] is the study of the interaction of living things with fire.

==Controlling fire==
Controlling fire for the purposes of providing heat and light is one of [[Human|mankind]]'s first great achievements. The ability of [[fire making]] to generate heat and light made possible migration to colder climates and enabled people to [[cooking|cook]] food — a decisive step in the endless fight against [[disease]]. [[Smoke signals]] were an early use of fire for communication, and fire soon enabled advancements in [[metallurgy]] such as [[smelting]] and [[forging]]. [[Archaeology]] indicates that ancestors of modern humans such as ''[[Homo erectus]]'' seem to have been using controlled fire as early as some 790,000 years ago. The [[Cradle of Humankind]] site has [[evidence]] for controlled fire from 1 to 1.8 million years ago. <ref> [http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=915 "UNESCO - Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs" ] </ref>

By the time of the [[Neolithic Revolution]], during the introduction of grain based agriculture, people the world over used fire as a tool in [[landscape]] management.  These fires were typically [[controlled burn]]s or "cool fires", as opposed to uncontrolled "hot fires" that damage the soil. Such hot fires destroy plants and animals, and endanger communities. This is especially a problem in the forests of today where traditional burning is prevented in order to encourage the growth of timber crops. Cool fires are generally conducted in the spring and fall. They clear undergrowth, burning up [[biomass]] that could trigger a hot fire should it get too dense. They provide a greater variety of environments, which encourages game and plant diversity. For humans, they make dense, impassable forests traversable.

[[Image:Blacksmiths fire.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[blacksmith]]'s fire, used primarily for [[forging]] [[iron]].]]
The first technical application of the fire was, perhaps, the extracting and treating of metals.
The modern applications of fire are numerous. In its broadest sense, fire is used by nearly every human being on earth in a controlled setting every day. Owners of [[internal combustion]] vehicles use fire every time they drive. Thermal [[power station]]s provide [[electricity]] for  a large percentage of humanity. However, fire is also used more directly; many nomadic peoples still use fire for cooking. It is also used for [[Tobacco smoking|smoking]], and as a [[weapon]].

In fact, the use of fire for [[warfare]] has a long [[military history|history]] up to the present day. Hunter-gatherer groups around the world have been noted as using grass and forest fires to injure their enemies and destroy their ability to find food, so it can be assumed that fire has been used in warfare for as long as humans have existed.  [[Homer]] detailed its use by Greek [[commando]]s who hid in a [[Trojan Horse|wooden horse]] to burn [[Troy]] during the [[Trojan war]]. Later the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] fleet used [[Greek fire]] to attack ships and men. American and British warplanes destroyed the German city of [[Dresden]] on [[February 14]], [[1945]] by creating a firestorm, in which a ring of fire surrounding the city was drawn inward by an updraft caused by a central cluster of fires. In the [[Vietnam War]], the Americans dropped [[napalm]] from the air. More recently many villages were burned during the [[Rwandan Genocide]]. [[Aerial bombing of cities]], including [[firebombing]], using [[incendiary bomb]]s was also frequently used during [[World War II]]. [[Molotov cocktail]]s are cheap to construct and are in common use as well.

==Fire and religion==
:''See also [[fire worship]].''
[[Image:Rubens - Vulcano forjando los rayos de Júpiter.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[Vulcan]] of ancient mythology, using fire for his forge]]
Fires and burning have often been used in [[religion|religious]] rites and symbolism.

Fire is one of the four [[classical element]]s, as well as one of the [[Five elements (Chinese philosophy)|five Chinese elements]]. In [[Hinduism]] fire is one of five sacred elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) of which all living creatures are comprised and is considered an eternal witness essential to sacred religious ceremonies.

Fire is a symbol of [[Ahura Mazda]], the god of the [[Zoroastrian]] religion. A Zoroastrian church is known as a [[Agiary|Fire Temple]]. Fire is also an important part of [[Calcination]], the fire operation in the art of [[alchemy]].

In Roman mythology, [[Vulcan]] is the god of fire.  The analogue in Greek mythology is [[Hephaestus]]. In Greek mythology, [[Prometheus]] is the [[Titan (mythology)|Titan]] chiefly honored for stealing fire from the gods in the stalk of a [[Fennel|fennel plant]] and giving it to mortals for their use.

In [[Judaism]] fire also has great significance. Candles are lit to usher in holidays and to separate [[Shabbat]] from the rest of the week, as well as to remember the dead. Another important fire symbol is the [[Eternal Flame]], which was a fire kept in the [[Temple in Jerusalem|First]] and [[Second Temple]]s and will always be kept burning.

In [[Christianity]], fire is a [[symbol]] of the [[Holy Spirit|Holy Ghost]]. It is also often used in descriptions of [[Hell]]. Additionally, a fire is used in the Roman Catholic Mass during the Easter Vigil.
In the Middle ages, the judgment of God was appealed to by the [[Trial by ordeal#Ordeal of fire|ordeal of fire]].
In Spain, bonfires as associated to [[St. John's Eve|the eve]] of Saint [[John the Evangelist]], a [[Christianization]] of the [[Midsummer|summer solstice]], especially [[Hogueras de San Juan|in Alicante]].
In [[Valencia, Spain|Valencia]], [[19 March|Saint Joseph]] is celebrated by [[Fallas|burning allegorical figures]] on the streets, a Christianization of the [[spring equinox]].

Fire was also a purifier.
[[Giovanni da Pian del Carpine]] narrates that when he visited the Mongol [[Batu Khan]], he was made to pass between two fires<ref>[[Liber Tatarorum]], [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/h/hakluyt/voyages/carpini/complete.html#section38 chapter 7] for the general Mongol custom and [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/h/hakluyt/voyages/carpini/complete.html#section53 chapter 22] for Pian's personal passing.</ref> to remove possible witchcraft or poisons.

Fire is sometimes associated with [[Halloween]].

In the Rastafarian tradition fire has a significant role.  At the Holy Ceremonies, known as Groundation and Nyahbinghi Theocracy, a very large fire is lit, and is symbolic in creating contact with the Almighty Jah Rastafari. In Rastafari Theology, fire is recognized as the main force in all things, or fire being a means to describe heat.  For instance, when a human being dies or animal, they loose their heat, or as the Rasta's insist, fire.

==Fire as a power source==
[[Image:ChineseCoalPower.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A [[Fossil fuel power plant|coal-fired power station]] in the [[People's Republic of China]].]]
Fire has supplied much of the energy which has helped humans since ancient times. [[Wood]] was a [[prehistory|prehistoric]] fuel. The use of [[fossil fuel]]s such as [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]] and [[coal]] in [[fossil fuel power plant|power plant]]s supplies the vast majority of the world's electricity today. The [[International Energy Agency]] states that nearly 80% of the world's power comes from these sources<ref>[http://www.iea.org/statlist/index.htm "Share of Total Primary Energy Supply", 2002; International Energy Agency]</ref>.

The burning of wood is often the first association to the word "fire". It is common in a [[developing countries|developing country]] for wood to be the primary energy source as well. For instance, in [[Africa]], 65% of the energy used comes from the burning of [[biomass]]<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/archives/africa/chapter3.html "Energy in Africa - Chapter 3"], [[United States Department of Energy]] information administration</ref>. What is less obvious is that wood burning power stations are less environmentally destructive than the fired oil power station in two major respects. [[E.ON|E.ON UK]] is soon to build a 44 megawatt wood fired power station in the [[United Kingdom]] for these reasons, as reported in the [[The Guardian|Guardian]] newspaper in October 2005<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,3605,1592854,00.html "How Can Burning Wood Help Reduce Global Warming"], [[The Guardian]] </ref>: first, wood is a renewable resource, especially if trees are grown in a modern, sustainable way. Second, the [[carbon dioxide]] emissions are negligible because no more carbon dioxide can be produced by burning than would be produced by the natural rotting of wood. Thus, over a 100-year timescale, the effect is carbon-neutral<ref>[http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021122.html The Straight Dope: What exactly is fire?]. Adams, C. (2002). Retrieved [[December 19]], [[2004]].</ref>. It is also claimed that this power station will be more efficient than coal: [[accelerant]]s can be used to spread fire faster or have it burn hotter.

The fire in a [[power station]] is used to heat water, creating steam that drives [[turbine]]s. The turbines then spin a large coil of wires in a permanent magnetic field, creating A/C current.

==The chemistry of fire==
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a fuel ([[combustion]]) with associated flame, [[heat]], and [[light]]. The flame itself is a thin region of gas where intense [[chemical reactions]] are taking place. The reacting gas in this area is often hot enough to glow visibly, although some flames can be nearly invisible. Typical flames are just [[incandescent]] gas, and are not [[plasma (physics)|plasmas]], as they are not hot enough to be sufficiently ionized. 

Fires start when both a [[flammable]] and or a [[combustible]] material with an adequate supply of [[oxygen]] or another [[oxidizer]] is subjected to enough [[heat]]. The common fire-causing sources of heat include a [[spark]], another fire (such as an [[explosion]], a fire in the [[oven]] or [[fireplace]], or a lit [[match]], [[lighter]] or [[cigarette]]) and sources of intense [[thermal radiation]] (such as [[sunlight]], a [[flue]], an [[incandescent light bulb]] or a [[radiant heater]]). Mechanical and electrical [[machinery]] may cause fire if combustible materials used on or located near the equipment are exposed to intense heat from [[Joule heating]], [[friction]] or [[exhaust gas]]. Fires can sustain themselves by the further release of [[heat energy]] in the process of [[combustion]] and may propagate, provided there is a continuous supply of [[oxygen]] and [[fuel]]. Fires may become uncontrolled and cause great damage to and destruction of human life, [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s and property.  Fires can also occur through instantaneous combustion.  This highly disputed phenomenon is currently under research.  It is known that this does occur in a vacuum but is disputed as to whether or not it occurs in nature.

Fire is extinguished when any of the elements of the so-called [[fire tetrahedron]]—[[heat]], [[oxygen]], [[fuel]] or the self-sustaining chemical reaction — are removed. The unburnable solid remains of a combustible material left after a fire are called [[ash]].

:''For more detailed information on the color of flames, see [[flame]].''

A flame is an [[exothermic]], self-sustaining, oxidizing chemical reaction producing [[energy]] and glowing hot flame, of which a very small portion is [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]. It consists of reacting gases and solids emitting visible and [[infrared]] light, the [[frequency spectrum]] of which is dependent on the chemical composition of the burning elements and intermediate reaction products. 

In many cases such as burning [[organic matter]] like wood or incomplete [[combustion]] of gas, [[incandescent]] solid particles, [[soot]] produces the familiar red-orange 'fire' color light. This light has a continuous spectrum. Complete combustion of gas has a dim blue color due to the emission of single wavelength radiations from various electron transitions in the excited molecules formed in the flame. Usually oxygen is involved, but [[hydrogen]] burning in [[chlorine]] produces a flame as well, producing the toxic acid [[hydrogen chloride]] (HCl). Other possible combinations producing flames, amongst many more, are [[fluorine]] and [[hydrogen]], or [[hydrazine]] and [[nitrogen tetroxide]]. Recent discoveries by the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA) of the [[United States]] also has found that [[gravity]] plays a role. Modifying the gravity causes different flame types. <ref> [http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12may_1.htm Spiral flames in microgravity], [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]], 2000.</ref>

The glow of a flame is somewhat complex. [[Black-body radiation]] is emitted from soot, gas, and fuel particles, though the soot particles are too small to behave like perfect blackbodies. There is also [[photon]] emission by de-excited [[atom]]s and [[molecule]]s in the gases. Much of the radiation is emitted in the visible and [[infrared]] bands. The color depends on temperature for the black-body radiation, and chemical makeup for the [[emission spectra]]. The dominant color in a flame changes with temperature. The photo of the forest fire is an excellent example of this variation. Near the ground, where most burning is occurring, it is white, the hottest color possible for organic material in general, or yellow. Above the yellow region, the color changes to orange, which is somewhat cooler, then red, which is cooler still. Above the red region, combustion no longer occurs, and the uncombusted carbon particles are visible as black smoke.

The common distribution of a flame under normal gravity conditions depends on [[convection]], as soot tends to rise to the top of a general flame, such as in a candle in normal gravity conditions, making it yellow. In [[microgravity]] or [[zero gravity]], such as an environment in [[outer space]], convection no longer occurs, and the flame becomes spherical, with a tendency to become more blue and more efficient (although they will go out if not moved steadily as the CO<sub>2</sub> from combustion does not disperse in microgravity, and tends to smother the flame). There are several possible explanations for this difference, of which the most likely is that the temperature is evenly distributed enough that soot is not formed and complete combustion occurs. <ref> [http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/combustion/cfm/usml-1_results.htm CFM-1 experiment results], National Aeronautics and Space Administration, April 2005.</ref> Experiments by NASA in microgravity reveal that [[diffusion flame]]s in microgravity allow more soot to be completely oxidised after they are produced than diffusion flames on Earth, because of a series of mechanisms that behaved differently in microgravity when compared to normal gravity conditions. <ref>[http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/combustion/lsp/lsp1_results.htm LSP-1 experiment results], National Aeronautics and Space Administration, April 2005.</ref> These discoveries have potential applications in [[applied science]] and [[industry]], especially concerning [[fuel efficiency]].  


==Typical temperatures of fires and flames==

*[[Oxyacetylene]] 
*[[Oxyhydrogen]] Flame (2000 C or above)(3632 F)
*[[Bunsen Burner]] Flame (Min. to Max. Setting) (1300 - 1600 C)(2372 - 2912 F)
*[[Blowtorch]] Flame (1300 C)(2372 F)
*[[Candle]] Flame (760 C)(1400 F)
* Lit [[cigarette]]: 
*Temperature without drawing: Side of the lit portion; 400 deg C (or 752 deg F);Middle of the lit portion: 580 deg C (or 1112 deg F)
*Temperature during drawing: Middle of the lit portion: 700 deg C (or 1292 deg F)

==Fires in history==
===Conflagrations===

:''See [[:Category:Fires]] for more examples.''

Timeline:
* September, 1666 - [[Great Fire of London]]
* 1871 - [[Great Chicago Fire]]
* April, 1947 - [[Texas City Disaster]]

{{sect-stub}}

===Fire protection and prevention===
{{main|Fire protection}}

[[Image:Aberdeenflames2.jpg|thumb|300px|Example of an uncontrolled fire: a building on fire in [[Columbus, Ohio]].]]
[[Image:Wohnhausbrand.JPG|thumb|230px|right|A [[house]] on fire in [[Aschaffenburg, Germany]].]]
[[Image:Lightmatter carbq.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[automobile|car]] on fire in [[Pasadena, California]]. Cars are sometimes set alight after having been abandoned by owners who are averse to paying for their removal.]]

[[Image:Argon.jpg|thumb|180px|Canisters containing [[Argon|argon gas]] for use in extinguishing fire without damaging server equipment]]
The destructive capacity of fire has led governments around the world to adopt [[fire code]]s and [[life safety code]]s and offer [[fire fighting]] services to extinguish or contain uncontrolled raging beastly fires. Trained [[firefighter]]s use [[Fire apparatus|fire trucks]], water supply resources such as [[water main]]s and [[fire hydrant]]s, and an array of other equipment to combat the spread of fires. 

To ensure fire safety of buildings, all building products, materials and [[furnishing]]s in the [[U.S.]] must be tested for fire resistance, [[Combustion|combustibility]] and [[flammability]] before they can  be used in construction. The same applies to [[upholstery]], [[carpeting]] and [[plastics]] used in [[vehicle]]s and [[vessel]]s. Buildings, especially [[school]]s and [[tall building]]s, often conduct [[fire drill]]s to inform and prepare citizens on how to react to a building fire. 

Purposely starting destructive fires constitutes [[arson]] and is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions. 

There are many different classification systems used for uncontrolled fires; in [[Europe]] and [[Australasia]] six groups are used:
[[Image:Dangclass2_1.png|thumb|left|100px|Flammable gas warning.]]

* Class A: Fires that involve flammable [[solid]]s such as [[wood]], [[cloth]], [[rubber]], [[paper]], and some types of [[plastic]]s.
* Class B: Fires that involve flammable [[liquid]]s or liquifiable solids such as [[gasoline|petrol/gasoline]], [[petroleum|oil]], [[paint]], some [[wax]]es & plastics, but '''not''' cooking fats or oils.
* Class C: Fires that involve flammable [[gas]]es, such as [[natural gas]], [[hydrogen]], [[propane]], [[butane]].
* Class D: Fires that involve [[combustion|combustible]] [[metal]]s, such as [[sodium]], [[magnesium]], and [[potassium]].
* Class E: Fires that involve any of the materials found in Class A and B fires, but with the introduction of an electrical appliances, wiring, or other electrically energized objects in the vicinity of the fire, with a resultant electrical shock risk if a [[electrical conduction|conductive]] agent is used to control the fire.
* Class F: Fires involving cooking fats and oils. The high temperature of the oils when on fire far exceeds that of other flammable liquids making normal extinguishing agents ineffective.

In the [[United States|U.S.]], fires are generally classified into five groups: A, B, C, D, and K
* Class A: Fires that involve wood, cloth, rubber, paper, and some types of plastics.
* Class B: Fires that involve gasoline, oil, paint, natural and propane gases, and flammable liquids, gases, and greases.
* Class C: Fires that involve any of the materials found in Class A and B fires, but with the introduction of electrical appliances, wiring, or other electrically energized objects in the vicinity of the fire.
* Class D: Fires that involve combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium.
* Class K: Fires that involve cooking oils.  Although, by definition, Class K is a subclass of Class B, the special characteristics of these types of fires are considered important enough to recognize.

==See also==
{{portal}}

*[[Model Fire Boats]]
* [[Fire test]]
* [[Making fire]]
* [[Pyromania]]
* [[Pyrokinesis]]
* [[Explosion]], [[Rust]], [[Digestion]] and [[composting]] are different kinds of combustion.
* [[Fire protection]]
* [[Fire protection engineering]]
* [[Smoke]]
* [[Active fire protection]]
* [[Passive fire protection]]
* [[Fire door]]
* [[Fire lookout tower]] and/or [[Fire lookout]]
* [[Firestop]]
* [[Fireproofing]]
* [[Intumescent]]
* [[Endothermic]]
* [[Firestop pillow]]
* [[:Category:Fire|A list of articles relating to fire]]
* [[:Category:Fires|A list of articles relating to specific fires]]
* [[:Category:Firefighting|A list of articles relating to firefighting]]
* [[List of light sources|A list of sources of light]]
* [[ATF Fire Research Laboratory]]
* [[Life safety code]]
* [[Volcano]]

==References==
===Citations===
<references/>

===General references===
*, (2005). ''Climate Change Begins at Home''. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-4578-0

==External links==
{{commons|Fire}}

* [http://www.howstuffworks.com/Fire.htm How Fire Works] at [[HowStuffWorks]]
* [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021122.html What exactly is fire?] (from [[The Straight Dope]])
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fire/onfire.html On Fire], an [[Adobe Flash]]-based science tutorial from the [[NOVA (TV series)]]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3670017.stm Early human fire mastery revealed] [[BBC]] article on archeological discoveries
* [http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/combustion/cfm/cfm_index.htm Flames in microgravity]
* [http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12may_1.htm Spiral flames in microgravity] 
* [http://www.moebuildingcontrol.co.uk moebuildingcontrol.co.uk - UK Guidance on fire safety codes and fire engineering]
* [http://www.smokeybear.com/ Smokey Bear- Prevent Wildfires]
* [http://www.survivaltopics.com/fire/fire-tetrahedron The Fire Tetrahedron] - The four essential elements of fire

[[Category:Fire|*]]

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