Re: Science fair project on fire--does wood burn?

You are correct, wood rapidly oxidizes, but does not burn. As the wood is
heated to its flashpoint and further ont to its burning point, it produces 
a
gas. It is this gas which burns and  reduces the wood to ashes. The point
where the gas is created is called  the interface of the fire and you will
will notice if you look very closely that fire does not actually touch an
indvidual peice of wood but there is a very small space between the slame 
and
the piece offf wood. This is where the oxidation-reduction chemical 
reaction
takes place which allows the fire to sustain itself at approximately 900
degress farenheit. For more information see the International Fire 
service's
4th Edition of "essentials of Firefighting.''

Donald E Duggan