red fire

American  

noun

1. any of various combustible preparations, as one containing strontium nitrate, that burn with a vivid red light: used chiefly in pyrotechnic displays and in signaling.

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red fire British  

noun

1. any combustible material that burns with a bright red flame: used in flares and fireworks. The colour is usually produced by strontium salts

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Etymology

Origin of red fire

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Since Monday, Hong Kong has been under a red fire danger warning, the highest level, as dry weather conditions made the risk of fire extremely high.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

TVN24 showed footage of Braun with a red fire extinguisher putting out the fire and causing smoke or haze to fill the area.

From Washington Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Emerson grabbed the plane’s red fire emergency handles, which are used to put out engine fires and shut down fuel to the engines, according to prosecutors.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023

On Friday afternoon, they were operating a pair of pumps nearly the size of commercial jet engines attached to bright red, fire engine-size suction trucks at the tunnel’s south end.

From New York Times • Jul. 24, 2021

He saw one black cannon spout red fire at the limits of his vision.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara