How Hot Is a Wood Fire?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 26, 2020

Depending on the type of wood and the conditions involved, a wood fire can begin to burn at approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but full flames typically require a heat of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Some wood fires reach heats as high as 1600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Variables that determine the temperature of a wood fire include the wood species and the water content of the wood before being lighted. According to Ecofire, oak has been measured burning at temperatures ranging from 900 to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, with the gases surrounding the fuels reaching up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Open fires flamed by wind and in close proximity to other timber reach the highest temperatures.