Fire is the visible effect of a chemical reaction called combustion, which is the rapid oxidation of a fuel. This exothermic process releases heat, light, and various reaction products such as carbon dioxide and water vapor
. For fire to occur, three elements must be present simultaneously, known as the fire triangle: heat, fuel, and oxygen. The fuel can be solid, liquid, or gas, but combustion occurs only between gases released from the fuel. When the fuel reaches its ignition temperature, it reacts with oxygen, producing flames and sustaining the fire as long as these three elements remain
. Flames are the most visible part of fire and consist of hot gases that emit light. The color and intensity of flames depend on the type of fuel and the surrounding gases. If the temperature is high enough, the gases can become ionized, forming plasma
. Fire plays important roles in ecosystems by stimulating plant growth, recycling nutrients, and maintaining ecological balance, although it can also cause damage such as soil erosion and pollution
. In summary, fire is a chemical reaction that converts fuel and oxygen into heat, light, and combustion products, sustained by the continuous presence of heat, fuel, and oxygen
