Which three elements are required to start a fire?

To successfully start a fire, three essential components are needed: oxygen, heat, and fuel. This combination is often referred to as the "fire triangle."

Oxygen is critical because it is one of the key reactants in the combustion process. Without sufficient oxygen, combustion cannot occur. Most fires require a minimum concentration of around 16% oxygen in the air to ignite and maintain a flame.

Heat is another vital element; it is necessary to raise the temperature of the fuel to its ignition point. Heating the fuel provides the energy required for chemical reactions that lead to combustion when it contacts oxygen.

Finally, fuel is the material that burns. This can be anything that is combustible, such as wood, paper, gasoline, or other flammable materials. When fuel is available, and both heat and oxygen are present, a fire can ignite and sustain itself.

The combination of these three components (oxygen, heat, and fuel) is fundamental to understanding how fires start and are sustained, which is crucial knowledge for emergency procedures and fire safety protocols.