Physics of fire The "fire triangle" is a term which refers to
the three elements necessary for a fire to burn: oxygen, fuel,
and a source of heat. Remove any one of the three and the fire
can no longer burn. All firefighting tactics are based on
removing one or more of the three elements in the fire triangle.
Types of heat transfer: Radiant, conductive, and convective.
Conductive heat is transferred by direct contact with the heat
source. Convective heat is transferred by hot gases from the
heat source, often to objects above the heat source since heat
rises. Radiant heat is transferred through radiation of the heat
not involving hot gases. To illustrate, when you hold a metal
spoon in a cup of hot coffee and feel the spoon get hot, this is
conductive heat. When you stand near a campfire and feel the
heat on your face, this is radiant heat. When hot steam is
rising from a boiling pot of water, this is convective heat. One
of the symbols of the Holy Ghost is fire (eg the tongues of fire
in Acts 2:3). Fire is a