What role does oxygen play in fire chemistry?

Oxygen plays a crucial role in fire chemistry as it supports combustion. For a fire to ignite and continue burning, there are three essential components known as the fire triangle: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Oxygen acts as the oxidizer that reacts with the fuel in the presence of heat to produce fire. Without sufficient oxygen, combustion cannot occur, which is why environments with low oxygen levels often result in extinguished flames or hindered fire development.

Understanding the function of oxygen in this context highlights its importance in fire safety and prevention, as adequate ventilation is necessary to allow for a proper combustion process.