A flare, also sometimes called a fusée, fusee, or bengala, bengalo in several European countries, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for distress signaling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications. Flares may be ground pyrotechnics, projectile pyrotechnics, or parachute-suspended to provide maximum illumination time over a large area. Projectile pyrotechnics may be dropped from aircraft, fired from rocket or artillery, or deployed by flare guns or handheld percussive tubes.
Illumination flares being used during military training exercises
Flares being fired from a ship during a fleet review
A conventional flare pistol. This particular model uses 26.5-millimeter (1.04 in) flares (manufactured by Patel Ballistics).
Three road flares burning
Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating such things as fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, quarrying, and demolition. This trade relies upon self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions to make heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound. The name comes from the Greek words pyr ("fire") and tekhnikos.
Pyrotechnic gerbs used in the entertainment industry
Rammstein uses pyrotechnics numerous times in their concerts; their performance of "Feuer frei!" is pictured here.
Pyrotechnics stunt exhibition by Giant Auto Rodéo, Ciney, Belgium
Pyrotechnics are widely used in professional wrestling, including the WWE, to enhance the event. Special concussion mortars are often used to augment these effects, as most of these are low-noise effects.
