add fuel to the flames

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

The idiom "add fuel to the flames" is believed to have originated from the practice of adding fuel, such as wood or coal, to a fire in order to make it burn more intensely. In a figurative sense, adding fuel to the flames means to make an already heated situation more intense or volatile. This phrase is often used to caution against making a situation worse by provoking or agitating the parties involved, especially in conflicts or arguments.