Magnesium - once lit - will burn under water. Heat is so intense and
chemical reaction so fierce that it splits the oxygen from the water
molecule for it's own use in combustion. Tough to fight a fire like that
with water. CO2 extinguishers don't work very well either. The intensity
of the chemical reaction in the magnesium is such that it also splits
off the oxygen from the carbon in the CO2 and consumes it. Carbon is the
leftover byproduct of magnesium combustion and it makes a heck of a
carbon soot mess. The intensity of the cold of a discharging CO2
extinguisher might chill the  magnesium sufficiently to reduce and then
snuff the flame, but I would not count on it. I can't say I have ever
seen a magnesium fire extinguished successfully- it only went out when
it burned  itself out.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

ROBERT DONALDS wrote:

> I machine the bug cases so I have magnesium flakes that collect over time
> one night I took a large hand full out into the ally and lit it on
> fire not
> very impressive until I kicked it with my boot it then lighted up the
> ally
> like daylight and then some funny what a little sturring will do
> water will not put this out
> Bob
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Collins" <wb6otg@INTREX.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 9:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Firewood
>
>
>> >Wood is nice, but I highly recommend burning an engine case (ala
>>
>>> Burning Van 06).
>>
>>
>> Just make sure no one throws water on it!  Someone did that the last
>> time
>> they burned one at Everybus. (I think that's part of the reason it
>> was the
>> LAST time)
>>
>> Bill
>>
>
>