No, the fire you see in an electric fireplace is not real fire. And it’s one of the main advantages of the electric fireplace. No real fire means no smoke, no ash, no fumes, gas, or anything. But there is no way of doubting if the flame you look at on an electric fireplace is too flimsy. The flames look real. Additionally, you will get extensive options for customizing the flame settings. That means more enjoyment and less worry for fire safety.