Boing Boing links to an interesting article about “invisible fire.” Invisible fire is a result of methanol – a type of fuel that was used in Indy car races; its still used in monster trucks, apparently.

According to the article, methanol burns clear – no smoke is produced – so vision around a fire site isn’t impaired. Its the reason why they switched from petroleum based fuels in the first place after the smoke cloud from a two car crash produced so much smoke, other drivers couldn’t see around them and a massive pileup happened. Methanol can also be put out by water alone; using water on gasoline only gives the fire a surface to sit on which can lead to it spreading faster.

Interesting stuff.

It’s hard to fight a fire you can’t see – Boing Boing