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Friction with the Earth's atmosphere really does destroy the smaller meteors that fall toward the earth. That friction makes the object so hot that it looks like a fire, but it is really just friction - not a fire.

Asteroids and meteors do not burn with fire. They are traveling at speeds from 17,000 mph to 50,000 mph relative to earth so that when they enter earth's atmosphere friction with the air heats them white hot which melts their surfaces, thermal stresses can cause them to explode in the air, and the smaller ones vaporize. Some can make it to the surface of the earth still red hot and if they land on flammable material can ignite fires. Some are large enough that they collide with the earth's surface with enough remaining velocity that they explode underground creating impact craters.

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