Fires need heat, oxygen and fuel. If any of these are removed, the fire will be extinguished. This is often referred to as the ‘Fire Triangle’ as it represents that each element is dependent upon the other. If one element is taken away, the triangle is destroyed and therefore, so is the fire. It demonstrates the interdependence of these ingredients in creating and sustaining fire. When there is not enough heat generated to sustain the process, when the fuel is exhausted, removed, or isolated, or when oxygen supply is limited, then a side of the triangle is broken and the fire will die.
A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of fire and heat is also needed to maintain the fire and permit it to spread. Heat allows fire to spread by removing the moisture from nearby fuel, warming surrounding air, and pre-heating the fuel in its path, enabling it to travel with greater ease. Fuel is any kind of combustible material and is characterised by its moisture content (how wet the fuel is), size and shape, quantity and the arrangement in which it is spread over the landscape. The moisture content determines how easily that fuel will burn. Air contains about 21 per cent oxygen, and most fires require at least 16 per cent oxygen content to burn. Oxygen supports the chemical processes that occur during a wildland fire. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air releasing heat and generating combustion products (i.e. Gases, smoke, embers). This process is known as oxidation.
The word 'fire' refers to the natural phenomenon that occurs whenever a combustible fuel comes into contact with oxygen at an extremely high temperature. Fire is the by-product of a chemical reaction in which a combustible fuel is converted to a gas. A fire's flame refers to the visual indication of light that occurs once the gas is heated, and is evidence that a fire has taken place.
A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of fire and heat is also needed to maintain the fire and permit it to spread. Heat allows fire to spread by removing the moisture from nearby fuel, warming surrounding air, and pre-heating the fuel in its path, enabling it to travel with greater ease. Fuel is any kind of combustible material and is characterised by its moisture content (how wet the fuel is), size and shape, quantity and the arrangement in which it is spread over the landscape. The moisture content determines how easily that fuel will burn. Air contains about 21 per cent oxygen, and most fires require at least 16 per cent oxygen content to burn. Oxygen supports the chemical processes that occur during a wildland fire. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air releasing heat and generating combustion products (i.e. Gases, smoke, embers). This process is known as oxidation.
The word 'fire' refers to the natural phenomenon that occurs whenever a combustible fuel comes into contact with oxygen at an extremely high temperature. Fire is the by-product of a chemical reaction in which a combustible fuel is converted to a gas. A fire's flame refers to the visual indication of light that occurs once the gas is heated, and is evidence that a fire has taken place.
