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Fire
Fire is a
form of combustion relating to the brilliant glow and large amount
of heat given off during a rapid, self-sustaining burning of
combustible fuel. The heat given off by the combining of the fuel
with oxygen keeps the combustion process going. Fire is not a state
of matter; it is a process which releases heat and light energy.
Fire was
essential for human existence throughout the world. It helped man
keep warm in cold climates, frighten away predators and cook food.
It provided light during the dark nights, allowed for making tools
and building materials (bricks, ceramics and metals). Some of the
earliest evidence of man's domestic use of fire comes from
excavations of prehistoric sites in Gesher Bnot Yaakov, in the north
of Israel. Bonfires and smoke signals also helped man carry on
communication over distances.
The
importance of fire to man is reflected in stories of many cultures.
Greek mythology tells how Prometheus stole fire from the Olympian
rulers and gave it to man for his use. The ancient Persian religion,
Zoroastrianism, symbolizes their Deity as fire as do many other Sun
worshipping religions. One of the most respected cults in Rome was
that of Vesta, goddess of the hearth, and her virgins guarded the
holy fire. The Jewish religion requires the lighting of candles in
the home to welcome the Sabbath and making a blessing over fire
after it departs to commemorate the gift of the knowledge to create
fire granted to Adam after his creation.
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
Yet
if not properly managed and controlled fire can be a source of
terrible destruction. It can destroy lives, property and natural
resources. Fires usually cost the United States and Canada more each
year than floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters combined.
In this section, we will learn what causes these terrible fire
disasters and how we can protect ourselves from them and recover
from their devastating destruction.
Sources:
http://www.answers.com/fire
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761563809/Fire.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3670017.stm
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