Fire in the tropics has a long history in which frequent wide-spread burning has profoundly altered physical and cultural environments. A vast and diverse literature pertaining to fire and its effects in tropical forests and grasslands was evaluated, classified and presented in a selected bibliography. Emphasis is on the relation of fire to climate, natural vegetation, soils, cultural origins, technological level and way of life and other significant factors of the total environment. The incidence and frequency of occurrence of fire are examined in terms of the geographic distribution of passive and active environmental characteristics. The relationship of burning to climate and natural vegetation is shown on maps which represent a first attempt to depict the geographic distribution of fire in the tropics. Potential combustibility and the implications of fire to military operations are discussed.