Pyrokinesis is the postulated or fictional psi ability to excite the atoms within an object, possibly creating enough energy to ignite the object. Pyrokinesis would be a minor form of psychokinesis, similar to poltergeist activity. Stephen King's story Firestarter prominently feature use of pyrokinesis. In fantastic science fiction and superhero comic books, a pyrokinetic is a person capable of generating flames from thin air, not requiring the consumption of oxygen or combustible objects to maintain the flames. Pyrokinetics in fiction have been depicted as able to increase the temperature in their proximity, create flames, and endure extreme heat and flame without being harmed.

Pyrokinetics have this power from unknown means, depending upon the work of fiction. Scientifically, they are focusing upon an area of oxygen carrying air, and speeding up its molecules to the point fire is created. The pyrokinetic person then has to supply their creation with more energy and oxygen, or the fire will dissipate quickly. In addition to creating and controlling fire, they can also quell fires by slowing them down, enabling them to protect themselves from fire.

Using these basic techniques, the pyrokinetic can perform a wealth of advanced techniques such as making their hands non-susceptible to flame, and covering them with fire, with which they can use as a source to launch flame forward, or to attack hand to hand. Or, create an object out of fire and make it move around. Some pyrokinetics can create fire all around themselves creating either a barrier of fire, or just set fire to everything around her, making an explosion of similar power to a bomb. The second one is dangerous to the pyrokinetic.

Another ability is to created a large beam of fire and launching it at a target, incinerating it and having the potential of destroying walls. All of these advanced techniques require immense concentration, and use up that person's energy quickly, exhausting them quicker than running up a flight of stairs.

It has also been claimed that few of the most advanced pyrokinetics can compress the atoms creating the fire, making it both hotter and more dense; it would look similar to controlled lava. This maneuver, however, takes extreme concentration and energy, leaving the user completely exhausted.

Fictional pyrokinetics

• The Black Queen of Marvel Comics' Hellfire Club
• Carter of the sci-fi movie Yesterday's Target (1996)
• Charlene McGee of the Stephen King novel Firestarter
• Firebird of Marvel Comics' Avengers
• The Human Torch of Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four
• Junko Aoki of the Japanese horror movie Kurosufaia (2000)
• Liz Sherman of the comic book-turned-movie Hellboy (2004)
• Pyro of Marvel Comics' Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (He can only control fire, but not create fire)
• Rusty Collins of Marvel Comics' X-Factor
• Sam Kramer of the movie Spontaneous Combustion (1990)
• Sena Robin of the anime Witch Hunter Robin
• Roy Mustang of the anime Full Metal Alchemist
• Sailor Mars of the Sailor Moon Series
• Hikaru Shidou of Magic Knight Rayearth
• Hot-Streak of the Animated TV Series Static Shock
• Volcana of the Animated TV Series Superman the Animated Series

See also

-kinesis