Magical fire is often depicted as flames. To get fire and flames the right mixture of oxygen, fuel and heat is needed. Assuming that the magic only provides the heat, there are only two chemical reactions that could explain the flames. The nitrogen in the air reacts with oxygen to form nitric oxide:

N2 + O2 --> 2NO

and nitrogen dioxide:

N2 + 2O2 --> 2NO2

Judging by the fact that we're all still alive, it must be quite hard to get these reactions started. What does this tell us us about fire magic with flames? How hot is it? What color would the flames have? Is the reaction endo- or exothermic?

Magical fire is often depicted as flames. To get fire and flames the right mixture of oxygen, fuel and heat is needed. Assuming that the magic only provides the heat, there are only two chemical reactions that could explain the flames. The nitrogen in the air reacts with oxygen to form nitric oxide:

$$\mathrm{N}_2 + \mathrm{O}_2 \to 2\mathrm{NO}$$

and nitrogen dioxide:

$$\mathrm{N}_2 + 2\mathrm{O}_2 \to 2\mathrm{NO}_2$$

Judging by the fact that we're all still alive, it must be quite hard to get these reactions started. What does this tell us us about fire magic with flames? How hot is it? What color would the flames have? Is the reaction endo- or exothermic?