The chemical element necessary for fire is oxygen. Fire is a chemical reaction known as combustion, which requires three essential components: heat, fuel, and oxygen. In the presence of these elements, a chemical reaction occurs, producing heat and light. Oxygen plays a vital role in sustaining the combustion process, making it critical for fire to exist. Removing oxygen from the environment can extinguish a fire, which is the basis for methods used to put out flames, such as smothering a fire with a blanket or using fire extinguishers that displace oxygen.