Staring into the fire

What makes fire so fascinating? It appeals directly to the senses, so it is hard (pointless?) to analyze. But knowing something about it helps to make it a richer symbol: it involves a transformation and release of stored energy. It is a potent and potentially dangerous beast, but you create it and control it. If you use it judiciously nothing gets destroyed or hurt. Just looking is one such very satisfying judicious use. You can see fantastic images; it's a dynamic Rorschach test, but no-one is prying.
Fire is envigorating. (Ask the forest service.)