Why Hair Doesn’t ‘Burst Into Flames’: The Science Behind Heat, Hair and Wildfire Myths

When California Governor Gavin Newsom recently claimed his hair had “literally burst into flames” while surveying wildfire damage in Los Angeles, the internet reacted with memes, mockery and a fair bit of confusion. Beyond the political noise, it raised a surprisingly important question: what actually happens to human hair in extreme heat, and can it really just ignite on your head?

For readers in the UK, wildfires may feel like a distant, Hollywood-style image, yet rising summer temperatures, foreign travel, and day-to-day use of heat tools all put hair under thermal stress. Understanding how hair behaves around heat – from straighteners to bonfire embers – is as practical as it is fascinating.

What Really Happens to Hair in Extreme Heat?

Hair is made primarily of keratin, a protein also found in nails and the outer layer of skin. Under normal conditions – hairdryers, curling tongs, summer sun – the hair shaft doesn’t combust; instead, it gradually dries, weakens and can eventually break.

In extreme heat, such as proximity to open flames or intense radiant heat near a wildfire, hair will usually:

• Dry out rapidly – moisture in and on the hair evaporates first.
• Singes rather than burns cleanly – you get that familiar burnt-hair smell and crisped ends.
• Catches briefly if directly exposed to flame – individual strands can ignite momentarily, but this is very different from a dramatic, cartoon-style fireball.
• Char and break – the structure collapses, leaving brittle, darkened fibres.

Fire professionals and hair scientists alike point out that for hair to truly “burst into flames” on someone’s head, several conditions would need to line up: sustained, extreme radiant heat; very dry, product-laden hair; and usually direct contact with a flame or spark. What most people experience in real life is far more mundane – singed fringe over a gas hob, frizz frazzled by a curling wand, or brittle lengths after long-term heat abuse.

For everyday purposes in the UK – whether you’re using straighteners every morning or sitting near a campfire on a cold night – it’s more accurate to think of hair as vulnerable to damage in heat, rather than as fuel waiting to ignite.

Heat, Wildfires and Hair: Separating Drama from Reality

Newsom’s claim, made during a July appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show, was wrapped in the kind of heightened language public figures often use when describing disaster zones. Online critics were quick to mock the idea that modern, groomed hair would spontaneously ignite in a wildfire setting. But strip away the politics, and there is a genuine safety conversation here – especially as climate-related wildfires increasingly affect tourists and residents around the globe.

Firefighters and emergency responders tend to focus first on respiratory safety (smoke inhalation) and heatstroke risks, rather than hair. However, they do work within a hierarchy of protective gear that’s instructive for civilians:

• Head and face protection – helmets, flame-resistant hoods, goggles or visors.
• Low-flammability fabrics – avoiding synthetics that melt onto skin.
• Secure, contained hair – kept under helmets or hoods and away from sparks.

Human hair itself is not the most dangerous element in a wildfire zone – clothing, foliage and structures burn more readily and with far greater consequence. But where hair does become relevant is in how exposed it is, how much product is in it, and how close someone is to flame or embers.

From a stylist’s perspective, it’s also worth noting the long-term impact of high, dry heat on hair. Even without visible burning, prolonged exposure to strong sun and hot, dusty wind – something often seen in fire-prone areas – can leave hair:

• Rough and raised at the cuticle layer.
• More prone to colour fade, particularly with oxidising UV exposure.
• Fragile at the ends, leading to a surge in split ends and breakage.

So while a claim of hair “bursting into flames” makes good headlines, the real story is one of slower, cumulative damage – far less cinematic, but far more relevant to how our hair behaves in hot conditions.

Daily Heat: From Straighteners to Bonfires – How to Protect Your Hair

For most of us in the UK, the heat we deal with is self-inflicted: curling wands, straighteners, blow-dryers and, occasionally, a bit too much proximity to a barbecue or bonfire. Hair professionals across UK salons share similar, practical advice:

• Respect your tools’ temperature. Many straighteners and tongs reach 200–230°C, which is well above what most hair needs. Many stylists recommend staying under ~185°C for finer or colour-treated hair where possible.
• Use a heat protectant formulation. While not bulletproof, these products can help reduce cuticle damage by forming a protective film and moderating moisture loss. Dermatologists often suggest them as part of a broader protective routine when using hot tools regularly.
• Limit passes. Going over the same section again and again increases cumulative damage. Aim for one slow, smooth pass rather than three or four quick ones.
• Keep distance from open flames. Hair can singe quickly if you lean over a gas hob or stand too close to bonfire embers. Tie hair back, use a clip, or pop on a hat in these settings.
• Protect your scalp and hair in strong sun. Many stylists suggest wearing a hat or scarf, especially during midday hours on holidays abroad. Some people also use leave-in products with UV filters to help minimise colour fade.
• Book in for regular trims. Once hair has been scorched or severely heat-damaged, trims are often the only way to remove the most compromised parts and restore a neater, healthier look.

From a real-world standpoint, a simple next step is to check the heat setting on your straighteners today and turn it down a notch – most people are using far more heat than their hair actually needs to style well.

Why Hair Myths Matter – Beyond the Viral Soundbite

So does it matter if a politician exaggerates and says his hair “burst into flames”? In one sense, no – it’s obviously a colourful way of describing intense heat. But the myths we build around hair and heat can skew how we care for it.

One popular misconception is that if hair isn’t visibly burned, it isn’t damaged. In fact, UK colourists and stylists often see pronounced weakening and breakage months after a client has overused high-temperature tools or spent a holiday in harsh sun without protection. The cuticle can become roughened long before you see singe marks.

Another myth is that only products “cause” hair to burn. While heavily hairsprayed or oil-coated hair may ignite more easily if it meets a flame, the real concern with most styling products is how they interact with heat over time – contributing to dryness or brittleness if overused alongside hot tools.

As a premium, education-focused brand, Hairporium places a strong emphasis on cutting through this kind of mythology. By staying grounded in how hair actually behaves – and listening to both scientific research and working stylists – it becomes easier to make choices that prioritise long-term hair health over short-term drama.

For UK readers, that means focusing less on viral clips and more on manageable daily actions: moderating heat, using protection, shielding your hair from extremes, and seeking professional advice when hair feels unusually fragile.

Key Takeaways

• Human hair doesn’t typically “burst into flames” spontaneously; it singes or briefly ignites when exposed to direct flame or very intense heat.
• Extreme environments such as wildfires cause cumulative drying and weakening of hair, but clothing and surroundings are usually the greater fire risk.
• Everyday tools like straighteners and curling wands can significantly damage hair if used at very high temperatures or with repeated passes.
• Practical protection – lower heat settings, heat protectant formulas, sun hats and tying hair back near open flames – makes a real difference over time.
• Hairporium emphasises evidence-aware, stylist-informed guidance to help you see past viral exaggerations and build a realistic, sustainable approach to hair health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hair actually catch fire on your head?
Yes, but it usually requires direct exposure to a flame or spark – for example leaning over a gas hob or too close to a candle. In these cases, hair tends to ignite briefly and singe rather than create a large, sustained blaze. Keeping hair tied back and away from naked flames is a sensible precaution.

At what temperature does hair start to burn?
Laboratory studies suggest that hair begins to undergo structural changes and charring in the 200–300°C range. Many domestic styling tools can reach these temperatures, which is why stylists frequently recommend using the lowest effective heat setting and avoiding multiple passes over the same section.

Does hairspray make your hair more flammable?
Older aerosol formulas could sometimes increase flammability if heavily applied and exposed to a naked flame. Modern products sold in the UK must meet safety standards, but it is still wise to keep any product-coated hair away from candles, gas hobs and cigarettes. For typical styling with heated tools, the main risk is dryness and damage rather than ignition.

How can I tell if my hair is heat-damaged rather than just dry?
Heat-damaged hair often feels rough, lacks elasticity, and may snap rather than stretch slightly when gently pulled. The ends may look frayed or white-tipped. If your hair feels this way despite using conditioner, many stylists recommend a trim and a period of reduced heat styling to help improve its condition.

Is sun exposure as damaging as straighteners?
They affect hair differently. Strong UV and heat from the sun can fade colour and dry the cuticle, especially during holidays in hotter climates. Straighteners and tongs apply concentrated, high temperature directly to the hair shaft. In practice, a combination of too much sun and frequent hot tool use tends to be the most damaging.

What simple change can I make today to protect my hair from heat?
Two of the most effective steps are lowering the temperature setting on your styling tools and using a heat protectant formulation before applying direct heat. Together, they help reduce the rate of cumulative damage without forcing you to abandon styling altogether.