Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a fire extinguishing and inhibiting material comprising potassium hydroxide, citric acid, diammonium phosphate, and urea in an aqueous solution is applied to an object to extinguish and inhibit fires. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a film-forming extinguishing material comprising potassium hydroxide, citric acid, diammonium phosphate, urea, surfactant, and trichloroethylene is applied to liquid fuel and self-propelled liquid fuel fires to extinguish and inhibit combustion.