What is the origin of the idiom "fan the flames" and when to use it?

The idiom "fan the flames" has its origins in the literal act of fanning flames to make a fire burn hotter and stronger. The phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is making an already tense or emotional situation even more intense or emotional. In modern usage, this idiom can refer to any situation where someone is deliberately stirring up trouble or making a bad situation worse.