The fact that the Korban is called a “fire” Korban (אִשֵה), hints that there is something special about the way the limbs of the animal were destroyed; Davka through fire! We can suggest that the “animal” (being destroyed) symbolizes the “animalistic” side of a person (i.e., his Yetzer Hara).
And how do you kill your Yetzer Hara? Specifically with fire Davka! Fire means enthusiasm and Geshmak in Ruchaniyus, especially in learning Torah. This is hinted in the words of the Passuk: אִשֵהְׁרֵיחְַׁנִיחוֹחְַׁ a sweet and Geshmake fire, like we say in Birchos HaTorah: וְּהַעֲרֵבְׁנָא make the Torah Geshmak!
Notice that the Mizbeach has a special Halacha of needing a fire always burning (אֵשְׁתָּמִידְׁתּוּקַדְׁעַלְׁהַמִזְּבֵחְַׁלֹאְׁתִכְּבֶהְְׁׁצוְׁוְׁו) and one Shita holds that there is a special: מַעֲרָכָהְׁ bonfire with no other purpose other than having a fire always burning (לְְּׁקְִׁיוּםְׁהְָׁאְֵׁש). A Yid always needs a fire burning in him, to enjoy Avodas Hashem with Simcha and enthusiasm.
A person can work on himself day and night to conquer his Ta'avos. Yet, you may possibly end up with plenty of frustration without much accomplishments, Chas V'shalom, despite all your Tefilos and Mussar and Gedarim (safeguards) and Kabalos (resolutions) and hearing Shmuessin, etc. But if you’re on fire, and you are full of Ruach, spirit, Hispa'alus, and being excited over Avodas Hashem, then it all gets easy, and the Yetzer Hara is dead.
R' Pinchos Menachem Malach Zatzal was asked, why in Novardok were they not involved in trying to conquer their Ta'avas Nashim. He said that after a fiery Mussar Seder, you couldn’t even think of such things! You were in a different world! R’ Avigdor Miller Zatzal said that we must fight fire (the fire of the Yetzer Hara) with fire (the fire of the Yetzer Tov).
Fire is alive! And it aims upwards to Shamayim. Notice how the Hadlakas Neiros of the Menorah is called: לְּהַעֲלוֹת כז כ to go upwards! People who are on fire are up in Shamayim, and they simply aren’t: שְַׁיָיךְ to (have anything to do with) lowly Yetzer Hara’s, since they aren’t in this world.
It’s Much More Geshmak to Be “Alive” and On Fire!
Also, fire is needed for burning Ketores. Do you want to really smell the sweetness of the 11 fragrances that make up Ketores? Burn them! Fire brings out the goodness and sweetness. Like you will notice that a happy-go-lucky animated person has much more Chen (appeal) since he’s “alive”!
