Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Fire and Lava in Minecraft: Damage and How to Survive
Lava deals 4 damage every half second and sets you on fire; fire deals 1 every half second (soul fire 2), and burning keeps hurting after you step out. Drink a Potion of Fire Resistance to ignore both completely, or jump into water to put yourself out. Milk does not help: burning is not a status effect.
How much do fire and lava hurt?
| Source | Damage |
|---|---|
| Lava | 4 every half second, plus burning |
| Fire block | 1 every half second, plus burning |
| Soul fire | 2 every half second |
| Magma block | 1 every half second while walking on it |
| Campfire / soul campfire | 1 / 2 every half second, standing on it |
Plain armor does not reduce burning or campfire damage: you need Fire Protection, Protection or Fire Resistance. All damage sources: health and damage.
How do you survive falling in lava?
- Drink Fire Resistance before Nether trips: it makes you immune to fire, lava and burning; see brewing potions.
- Swim up and out fast, then jump into water, rain or a water bucket's water to stop burning.
- Wear Fire Protection armor in the Nether.
- Sneak on magma blocks, or wear Frost Walker boots, to take no damage from them.
- Items that fall in lava burn up, except netherite gear; see netherite.
Which mobs are immune to fire?
Most Nether mobs do not burn: blazes, ghasts, magma cubes, striders, zombified piglins, wither skeletons, the Wither. Piglins, hoglins, skeletons and endermen can burn. Wardens do not burn. Undead mobs such as zombies and skeletons catch fire in sunlight unless they wear a helmet or stand in shade. See the Nether.
How does fire spread?
Fire spreads to flammable blocks such as wood, wool and leaves nearby, and lava can light flammable blocks close to it. Build with stone near lava, and keep wooden bases away from lava lakes. On Java, the fire_spread_radius_around_player game rule and others control it; see game rules.
Does ArtemisPvP have custom enchants?
Frequently asked questions
How much damage does lava do?
4 damage every half second, plus burning.
Does milk stop you burning?
No. Burning is not a status effect; use water or Fire Resistance.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.