10 festivals of fire

Throughout the world, flames and fireworks are used at major festivals to honor ancestors, celebrate historic victories, stoke passions, or drive away evil spirits. Here is Cheapflights.com's roundup of favorite fire festivals:

1. Guy Fawkes Night (England)

2. Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine's "Oniyo" (Fukuoka, Japan)

3. Jeongwol Daeboreum Deulbul Festival (Jeju province, South Korea)

4. Diwali (India)

5. Samhain, Out of the Darkness (Altoona, Fla.)

6. Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) (Guatemala)

7. Ottery St. Mary (Devon, England)

8. Up Helly Aa, Lerwick (Shetland Islands, Scotland)

9. Bonfire Night (Newfoundland, Canada)

10. Sadeh (Iran)

Online extra

Scan this code with a smartphone or go to www.mercurynews.com/travel to see a slideshow of 10 festivals of fire.

-- Linda Zavoral, travel@bayareanewsgroup.com and Twitter.com/buh_byeTravel.