The three basic elements required for fire include fuel, oxygen, and what else?

The three basic elements required for fire, often referred to as the fire triangle, include fuel, oxygen, and heat. Heat is essential because it raises the temperature of the fuel to its ignition point, enabling combustion to occur. Without sufficient heat, the fuel will not ignite, regardless of the availability of oxygen or the presence of combustible materials.

Fuel is the material that burns, while oxygen is the oxidizer that supports the combustion process. Heat acts as the energy source that initiates and sustains the fire. Understanding these three components is critical for firefighting, as removing any one of them can extinguish the fire. This foundational knowledge assists firefighters in determining strategies for fire suppression and for understanding fire behavior during an incident.