Why does fire have different colors?

We all know that fire is hot, but did you know that it can also be quite colorful? The colors of a fire are determined by the temperature of the burning material.

For example, wood burns at a lower temperature than gasoline, so you typically see yellow and orange flames when wood is burned. However, when gasoline is burned, it produces blue flames. In fact, firefighters use this fact to help them determine the source of a fire. If they see blue flames, they know that the fire is fueled by gasoline.

So the next time you see a campfire or fireplace, take a moment to appreciate the different colors of the flames. And if you're ever in doubt about what's fueling a fire, just ask a firefighter!