Fire is one of the most fascinating natural phenomena, people have been in awe of it for millennia, and now you can discover 7 interesting facts about it right here.
1. It’s An Earth Exclusive Event
Fire needs three things to burn: fuel, oxygen, and heat; it turns out earth is the only (known) planet that has enough oxygen in its atmosphere to produce and maintain a fire.
2. It Can Change Color
This other exciting fact about fire is also due to oxygen levels; when those are low, the flame will burn mostly yellow; with high levels of oxygen, you will see a blue flame.
3. The Patent Of The Fire Hydrant Burned
What is known is that the fire hydrant was created in the early 1800s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but the name of the creator and other details are suspected of having been destroyed in a fire. That shows you even the places you least expect are vulnerable, and any time is right for a fire sprinkler inspection to be safe and prepared.
4. Smoke Is The Danger
The most prominent reasons for deaths caused by a fire is due to smoke inhalation, a threat that can consume victims even before the flames get to them, here’s how to can prevent smoke inhalation:
- Stay low on the ground to avoid breathing in the smoke
- Grab a piece of cloth, moisten it and protect your mouth and nose
- Look for a way out, pay attention to smoke coming out of rooms before entering or escaping
- If you can’t get out, close the entry point where smoke can get in and open ventilation pathways
5. Literal Inspiration
Fire inspired the name of author Ray Bradbury’s most iconic book Fahrenheit 451. The original title was supposed to be The Fireman, but the writer then found this name to be unexciting and changed it.
Bradbury is said to have called a fire department and asked for the temperature at which books burned, that where he got his Fahrenheit 451. However, experiments have shown that the temperature varies from 424 and 475, depending on the material of the book and the flame.
6. Fast Climbers
Wildfires consume territory faster when it’s uphill, moving faster, the more inclination they encounter. Once a wild or forest fire behind it can burn at speeds of 25 kilometers or 15.5 miles per hour, so it’s better to move fast and smart to protect yourself.
7. A Real Eternal Flame Exists
Thanks to a natural gas phenomenon, there exists a fire that has burned continuously for over 4.000 years near the city of Kirkuk in Iraq. Known locally as Baba Gurgur,that translates to Father of The Eternal Fire; some have linked it to the flame mentioned in the Book Of Daniel in the Old Testament.
The flame is very valuable to the residents of Kirkuk and Iraq as a whole; some women even travel there to ask for baby boys from Father of The Eternal Fire. Fire will continue to be the subject of great interest, because of its powerful, mysterious, and destructive power, a flame that’s hard to resist for the curious mind.
Don’t miss other incredible and cool things about nature like the coldest city, oldest tree, tallest man, Caspian Sea, Belize Blue Hole, seed vault, magnesium, underground living, plus so much more.
FAQ
Where is the eternal flame?
Thanks to a natural gas phenomenon, there exists a fire that has burned continuously for over 4.000 years near the city of Kirkuk in Iraq. Known locally as Baba Gurgur,that translates to Father of The Eternal Fire; some have linked it to the flame mentioned in the Book Of Daniel in the Old Testament.
How fast can a wildfire spread?
Wildfires consume territory faster when it’s uphill, moving faster, the more inclination they encounter. Once a wild or forest fire behind it can burn at speeds of 25 kilometers or 15.5 miles per hour, so it’s better to move fast and smart to protect yourself.
Additional Resources:
