As fire is built and grows based upon the laws of physics and chemistry, it can be reduced and eliminated by reversing the pieces that make up the process of fire. All our lives, we have been taught that if you want to put the camp fire out, either kick dirt on it, or pour the rest of the lousy coffee on it! Good forestry also says that you need to spread out the logs that were burning before you go to sleep.

These are all ways to break the chain, so to speak. We have also been taught that in some instances you can't, or don't want to, do any of those things.

An example of that would be the old proverbial grease fire on the stove. To take care of that, if you don't have a pan cover handy, take the baking soda out of the cabinet or fridge, and pour it on the pan... the fire miraculously goes out!