DM Q&A: NPCs: Fire Elemental

[Kain]

I have recently come across the notion that using a Fire Elemntal i a forest is bad because it will burn the forest down.. I don't think that is quite right. I always interpreted the Fire Elemental as igniting only what it intends to ignite, just like the flame weapon spell. I just want to know if I would get in trouble for using a fire elemental in a forest and catchin it on fire being a druid and everything it might look bad on me...

[Munroe]

From the Elemental group description (Monster Manual 3.5e page 95):

Elementals are incarnations of the elements that compose existence. They are as wild and dangerous as the forces that birthed them.

The physical description of Fire Elemental (Monster Manual 3.5e page 98):

A mass of ambulatory flame races across the ground, seeming to flicker and spark from a central humanoid-shaped conflagration. Like a living inferno, the fire-creature's burning dance of heat and flame brings it ever closer. Fire elementals are fast and agile. The merest touch from their fiery bodies is sufficient to set many materials aflame. A fire elemental cannot enter water or any other nonflammable liquid. A body of water is an impassable barrier unless the fire elemental can step or jump over it. Fire elementals speak Ignan, though they rarely choose to do so. When one speaks, its voice sounds like the crackle and hiss of a great fire. Combat A fire elemental is a fierce opponent that attacks its enemies directly and savagely. It takes joy in burning the creatures and objects of the Material Plane to ashes. Burn (Ex): A fire elemental's slam attack deals bludgeoning damage plus fire damage from the elemental's flaming body. Those hit by a fire elemental's slam attack also must succeed on a Reflex save or catch fire. The flame burns for 1d4 rounds. The save DC varies with the elemental's size (see the table below). A burning creature can take a move action to put out the flame. The save DC is Constitution-based. Creatures hitting a fire elemental with natural weapons or unarmed strikes take fire damage as though hit by the elemental's attack, and also catch on fire unless they succeed on a Reflex save.

So.... I would say a fire elemental in the forest is a bad idea...