Carrying Firewood to Save a Fire
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-31
CORE DEFINITION
Carrying firewood to extinguish a fire only makes the fire burn more fiercely once the wood is consumed. This metaphor illustrates using incorrect methods to eliminate a disaster, which instead exacerbates it.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Identify negative feedback failure. When you find that the more effort you put in, the worse the situation becomes (e.g., the more you lower prices, the greater the losses; the stricter the control, the stronger the rebellion), stop! You may be carrying firewood to save a fire. Your solution itself has become part of the problem.
Anchor fast decisions
Carrying firewood to save a fire refers to carrying firewood to extinguish a fire, metaphorically meaning using wrong methods that instead fuel the disaster. It reveals that if problems are not addressed at the root but rather fuel is added, the cost will snowball.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
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