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The effectiveness of fire as a weapon against zombies varies. Although fire is still one of mankind’s greatest tools, it's usage as a weapon in human history was dependent on pain, or fear of it - a trait zombies do not possess. As far as its destructive power, while it is true that fire can consume structures and even cities whole, one need only spend an evening trying to construct and sustain a campfire or firepit to see that even flammable materials can be fickle and difficult to destroy. Live (albeit undead) animated tissue is even more difficult to destroy, which is one reason fire is considered a last resort weapon against most documented types of zombies.

Contents 1 Romero Zombies 2 Torch 3 Blowtorch 4 Molotov Cocktails 5 Dousing with Fuel 6 Exploding propane tank 7 Napalm 8 Dragon's Breath Shotgun rounds 9 Thermite 10 Flamethrower

Romero ZombiesEdit

Much like Frankenstein's Monster, Romero Zombies are afraid of fire, so it can be used to escape a horde in some situation. Return of the Living Dead Zombies may or may not fear fire depending on the individual, but since the cause of reanimation is a chemical, attempting to burn a rotten Zombie in anything short of a modern crematory oven may cause the chemical to rise into the atmosphere and rain down somewhere else, starting a whole new undead plague. That is, assuming the "chemical" can survive the intense temperature of the fire, which is uncertain.

However, most zombies do not even seem to notice fire at all, and trying to use fire to scare one off will likely get you bitten and burnt.

Fire can be used to weaken or slow zombies, however in most cases it is both easier and more time and resource efficient to use melee weapons, obsticles, or shelter.

One noteworthy exception is in World War Z, the Americans introduced "Cherry Pie" or PIE rounds at the Battle of Hope, basically a new sort of chemical incendiary round that maximized damage by frying a larger area of the penetrated tissue, allowing wounds that only lodge near the brain or spinal column to virtually char-broil those organ areas, putting the zombie down.

While not the tool for every job, fire is invaluable in disposing dead zombies and sanitizing any viruses they may carry. There are several things you’ll want to know before you decide to go torch the undead. First, any zombie set on fire isn’t going to instantly turn into ash. Assuming that the immolation can maintain its prescence on the head and neck area of the zombie for an extended time, it may take as much as half an hour for the fire to kill the brain, during which time you’ll have to deal with a shambling torch that sets fire to everything it touches. Second, fire has no ally. Using fire irresponsibly and recklessly is liable to start a house fire or wildfire, which may turn into a greater threat to your survival than the undead. Third, fire consumes oxygen to burn, which means using it in a confined space with poor ventilation may quickly asphyxiate you (this is a major usage of the flamethrower by the way), leaving the zombies free to chow down on your corpse unmolested.

TorchEdit

The torch is for all intents and purposes a stick with one end tipped with flammable material, often soaked in flammable oils or liquids. The Torch is a multi-use device. It can be used to set objects on fire, light dark areas or signal others in the dark. It's use as a weapon is limited, as it requires one to be in close range of it's target to set them alight—which might not happen to begin with—and makes for an inferior distance weapon when thrown.

BlowtorchEdit

A hand-held propane torch. They lack the heat necessary to puncture a human skull, and the flame is only a few inches long. Better used to set fire to something else.

Molotov CocktailsEdit

A type of homemade incendiary weapon, usually consisting of petrol or

alcohol contained in a glass bottle with a cloth wick protruding out of the top. They are safer to manufacture than pipe bombs, though they are dangerous to handle when lit, and somewhat awkward to wield. Although easy to create, Molotov cocktails may or may not be effective against zombies. A fire hot enough could burn enough flesh which is the only means of locomotion. The fire basically kills off the burnt area as well as any biological or pathogenic substance remaining. However, molotov's may burn themselves out before even slowing down a zombie (unless some of the fuel splashed onto the zombie and ignited its clothing/flesh), and in the meantime, the fire can easily spread to other fuel sources. Be very careful about where you throw these fireballs-in-a-bottle, as you are likely to set fire to whatever structure you are taking refuge in. However, Molotov cocktails can be useful in the safe disposal of infected corpses or infected zombies. Please Take note that in The Pictured Photograph, the mixture is supposed to be black- not translucent brown. The discoloration is due to age- Although still flammable indeed, it is much less potent. Alcohol may be clear and gas might be lighter in color; fuel sources may differ.

You can make a Molotov by getting a glass bottle. For the fuel you can use ethanol, menthol, gasoline, petrol, or alcohol. You fill the bottle with the fluid but only about ¾ full. You then seal the bottle and attach a rag around the neck (by tying, taping, with a rubber band, etc.) or tape a storm match to the side like in the picture above. Always remember to soak the rag in a flammable liquid before lighting it or else it will be difficult to ignite. Remember to bring a lighter, a Zippo or a wind-resistant lighter is helpful. For the storm match you can bring the strike pad but it will feel odd lighting it that way, or you can use a lighter.

Dousing with FuelEdit

This is very tricky to do, since you first need to find a way to soak the zombie or zombies in question with enough fuel to get the job done without getting grabbed, a way to ignite the fuel, and a way to get far enough away to avoid getting burned alive. Only recommended in defensive moats and the Pied Piper Strategy.

Exploding propane tankEdit

In theory, tossing a tank full of combustible fuel into a mob of ghouls and shooting

it like in the movie ‘’JAWS’’ would be an excellent way to incinerate the whole horde. It’s actually far more difficult to do in practice. Your average propane tank is designed to withstand a lot of abuse so to prevent a domestic fire. Some rifles can puncture certain types of propane tanks, but it may require the survivor to stand fairly close to the tank to hit the tank flush (the curvature of the tank will cause ricochets), and before the round's velocity diminishes. Clusters of rounds will be necessary, as the gas inside the tank is actually not very flammable. It is the gas escaping from the puncture and mixing with the oxygen that can start the combustion. Incendiary rounds are needed for this to work

NapalmEdit

Napalm is flammable adhesive liquid that can sustain a high burning temperature. While technically, the name originated from the original popular formula of naphthenic and palm acids in gasoline, there are hundreds of different acceptable formulas that are known as napalm. It burns very hot and many kinds are durable enough to burn on the surface of a body of water.

Like most incendiary weapons, it is impractical to use Napalm against zombies in most cases. While well amassed globs of napalm around the head and neck can roast, and eventually destroy the brain, this method is considered largely ineffective and very risky. Napalm used anywhere else on the zombie body poses more of a threat to survivors than zombies due to when a zombie may approach and burn nearby survivors as well.

If you touch inflamed Napalm, expect second and third degree burns. Concentrate on using other items to wipe the sticky fire off, more than dousing, or smothering the napalm.

Dragon's Breath Shotgun roundsEdit

Dragon's breath rounds fire incendiary materials which light soft targets on fire, and at a fair distance, much like a flamethrower. The heat levels don't approach that of most flamethrowers, but shotguns don't suffer the same safety and weight issues as a flamethrower. However like all flame based weapons, they will take many minutes, if not hours to immobilize or kill a zombie.

ThermiteEdit

Thermite is a pyrotechnic compound that when ignited produces a high amount of heat than

can burn through most metals and would reduce the undead to ashes in a short period of time(or rather seconds). Thermite isn't an explosive but can be if used or if made improperly. it can be used for hundreds of different reasons such as igniting a padlock or welded blockage to a certain area, or just using it to weld metal, and even possibly using it as a trap for the undead. Thermite consists of aluminum and iron oxide(rust) and a catalyst to ignite it, in this case, magnesium.

Obtaining the Aluminum

• Find yourself an Etch-A-Sketch, the stuff inside is purely aluminum
• Go to a paint store they usually have powdered aluminum for paint mix
• Buy it online or at a hardware store
• Grind down things made of aluminum(i.e. soda cans, bicycle frames)

Obtaining the Iron Oxide

• Again you may go to a paint store and ask if they have any
• You can also buy it online as well
• You can purchase Steel Wool, cover it in a jar with water. Use a magnet to prevent the wool from floating, and next put 5 tablespoons of regular bleach and 5 tablespoons of regular vinegar and let it sit for a day or two. Then filter the brown paste into say a coffee filter and let it dry out.

Mixing

Thermite is approximately 8 grams of iron oxide to 3 grams of aluminum. The formula is by weight but aluminum is light so it will appear as a 50-50 mix. Put them in a container and mix them evenly. If you want, mix four parts thermite with one part clay for modifiable thermite.

Igniting

Thermite requires high substantial amounts of heat so magnesium will do the trick, find magnesium ribbon or a sparkler that contains magnesium. Place the magnesium in a thermite pile and light it with a Torch. Don't stop and stare - RUN!!!

FlamethrowerEdit

This both a useful and dangerous weapon against the undead. This can kill zombies by burning them alive in about 3 to 5 seconds. But a zombie can bite or claw on the fuel tank and possibly set a blaze to the survivor and the other zombies or other living things around it. The most notable flamethrower is the M2 Flamethrower from World War II.

M2 Flamethrower Specifications:

Weight: 43 lb (19.5 kg) Empty & 68 lb (30.8 kg) Filled

Rate of Fire: ~Half a Gallon per Second

Effective Range: 65¹⁄₂ Feet (20.0 Meters)

Feed System: 2 (2 Gallon) Gasoline Tanks (Fuel) & 1 Nitrogen Tank (Propellant)