The Science Behind Fire Breathing

Jugglers, magicians, acrobats, and sideshow artists share a common trait—they make extraordinary or challenging feats appear effortless. Fire breathers, often experts in one of these performance arts, captivate audiences by seemingly exhaling flames as naturally as breathing.

However, fire breathing is the most hazardous of all fire-related arts. Professional fire breathers must take extensive precautions to ensure their safety and that of their audience. Given the involvement of fire and highly flammable, toxic fuels, accidents in fire breathing can have fatal consequences.

To gain insight into the mechanics of fire breathing, we spoke with two seasoned fire breathers. Mike Garner, a juggler and vaudeville performer, began his fire breathing journey in 1993.

Our second performer, known by the stage name Pele, integrates various sideshow acts into her performances. With nearly a decade of fire stunt experience at the time of our interview, she provides valuable insights. In this article, these performers shed light on the fundamentals of fire breathing, its risks, and the safety precautions that safeguard both performers and audiences.

Fundamentals of Fire Breathing

Fire breathing performances are often breathtaking and sometimes startling. "It's an incredibly dramatic effect," Garner remarks. "Few things evoke as much wonder...it's a rare sight for most people."

Creating a pillar of fire involves two essential elements: fuel and a flame source. In simple terms, the performer sprays a mouthful of fuel forcefully over a flame, resulting in a pillar, plume, or ball of fire.

While it may seem straightforward, mastering the direction and consistency of the fuel spray requires significant practice. Fire breathers often train extensively with water before transitioning to fuel and flames. They focus on perfecting the spray's direction and uniformity. "You can still see the fuel in the air," Pele notes. Garner emphasizes that if the spray isn't fine enough, "the fuel will ignite and fall to the ground, causing burns."

The angle of the fuel, and consequently the flame, is another critical factor. Pele advises maintaining an angle "between 60 and 80 degrees…A lower angle risks the flame reaching the body, while a higher angle may cause unignited fuel to fall back onto the face. The angle is crucial."

Before performing, fire breathers carefully assess their environment, including wind direction and speed. "I observe the flames," Pele explains. "They reveal everything we need to know, reacting to even the slightest changes in the air."

Garner highlights the importance of environmental awareness: "Check for nearby power lines, trees with low-hanging branches, and the location of your audience. Be mindful of your surroundings and any potential hazards."

Torches and Fuel

Selecting the right fuel is as crucial as mastering the technique for fire breathers. They evaluate multiple factors when choosing a fuel, such as:

The most popular fuel for fire breathing is kerosene, referred to as paraffin outside the U.S. Lamp oil, chemically akin to kerosene, is another frequent option. These fuels have a high flash point, offering some safety, but they produce significant smoke and a strong odor. Neither is safe to ingest, and both may contain harmful additives.

Some performers opt for naphtha, also known as white gas, Coleman fuel, or lighter fluid, for certain fire stunts. However, naphtha's low flash point makes it highly volatile and increases the risk of burns. Its toxicity also makes it a riskier choice for fire breathing, according to most performers.

Certain fuels are entirely avoided by fire performers. "I steer clear of all alcohols and gasoline...at all costs," Pele states. "They should never be used in fire effects...methyl alcohol is highly toxic, and ethyl alcohol can cause intoxication, which is unsafe around fire. Both have very low flashpoints, making them extremely hazardous."

Fire breathers usually rely on torches, either handmade or purchased, to ignite their fuel. Smaller tools like matches place the performer's hand too close to the flame, while lighters pose risks of explosion and burns.

However, the act of spraying fuel through a flame is just a small part of a fire breather's performance. Ensuring the safety of both the performer and the audience is a far greater responsibility. In the next section, we'll explore the risks of fire breathing and the precautions taken to mitigate them.

Dangers and Safety

Most fire performers openly discuss the risks of fire breathing and stress the precautions they take to reduce them. Many refuse to teach others due to the inherent dangers. "I always discourage people from attempting it," Pele remarks.

Burns are the most apparent risk in fire breathing. While performers can guide the direction of flames, they cannot fully control them. Sudden wind shifts or other factors can cause flames to become uncontrollable, potentially harming the performer, audience, or property. Another risk is blowback, where the flame travels back toward the performer's mouth.

Fire breathers also face various immediate and long-term health risks, including:

Due to the presence of carcinogens in fuels, fire breathers face an increased risk of developing various cancers.

To mitigate the dangers of fire breathing, performers implement rigorous safety measures. Pele elaborates:

Before each performance, Pele thoroughly inspects her equipment and costume. She verifies the contents of her first aid kit and assesses the performance area. She also maintains liability insurance and coordinates with local authorities: "We contact the local fire marshal to secure permission...and I submit a burn plan."

Performers ensure they remove any leftover fuel from their faces and hands after fire breathing. They also take steps to reduce the fuel's impact on their bodies. "Drinking milk or taking an antacid before performing is ideal...followed by eating bread or something absorbent to help the fuel pass through your system," Garner advises.

"Home of Poi" offers several detailed articles on fire safety and fire breathing precautions. Additionally, the North American Fire Artists Association and the National Fire Protection Association provide extensive safety guidelines for fire performances. While these are valuable resources, Pele notes that they aren't universally adopted. "Each locality has its own regulations, and there's no one-size-fits-all standard."

Other Fire Arts

Fire breathing is often the highlight of a performer's act, complemented by other fire stunts, juggling, magic, or sideshow performances. Some additional fire stunts include:

Fire eating: Performers simulate eating fire by extinguishing flaming props in their mouths. The fuel's surface and fumes burn, leaving the mouth's skin unharmed. Fire eaters can also use the burning fuel to ignite other props.

Juggling: "Almost any juggling prop can be adapted for fire," Garner explains. Common props modified for fire juggling include Diabolos, Devil sticks, Torches, and Staffs.

Poi: Poi twirling is gaining popularity in fire performances. Originally used by Maori women to build arm strength and flexibility, poi consists of balls on cords. Performers swing them rapidly, with centripetal force keeping the cords taut. Burning poi create a stunning visual of fire and light.