What are the four elements of the fire tetrahedron?

The correct choice identifies the four essential components that need to be present for a fire to ignite and sustain itself, which are fuel, heat, oxygen, and a chemical reaction.

Fuel refers to any material that can combust, providing the substance necessary for fire. Heat is the energy required to raise the material to its ignition temperature. Oxygen is crucial because most fires require it to support the combustion process; it combines with the fuel during the chemical reaction. Finally, the chemical reaction denotes the interaction between the fuel and oxygen, which typically results in the production of heat and light, characteristic of a fire.

Understanding these elements is vital for firefighters, as their presence or absence determines whether a fire can start or continue to burn. Recognizing the tetrahedron is also critical for effective fire suppression strategies, as disrupting any one of these components can extinguish the fire.