How is fire made?

According to Wikipedia, fire is a rapid, exothermic oxidation of a material, also known as combustion. For combustion to occur, energy in the form of heat, combustible material and an oxidizing agent like fluorine or oxygen must be present, according to Reader's Digest.

Once burning starts, the process emits heat and light until one of the three components, fuel, oxidant or energy, are removed, according to Dr. Anne Helmenstine for About.com. Wikipedia further explains that the emitted light can be present in the form of flames. The main components of the flames are carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen.