A
flame detection method capable of detecting a
flame simply and effectively by using a
UV detector having a comparatively small detection
wavelength area. A plurality of spontaneously emitted light intensities having the same radical species but different wavelengths are measured respectively out of a spontaneously emitted light spectra of a UV area in the spontaneously emitted light components of a
flame to determine emitted
light intensity ratios that are mutual ratios between the measured spontaneously emitted light intensities with respective wavelengths, and a flame is detected based on the relations between those emitted
light intensity ratios and flame temperatures or the relations between emitted
light intensity ratios and air ratios of mixed air used for
combustion. Especially, the OH zone spectrum of
electron transition A<2>∑<+>->X<2>Pi from an
excited state by
combustion to a normal sate out of flame spontaneously emitted light components by
lean combustion is measured, and emitted light intensity ratios between OH (2,0) in the vicinity of
wavelength 260 nm, OH (1,0) in the vicinity of
wavelength 280 nm, OH (2,1) in the vicinity of wavelength 287 nm, and OH (0,0) in the vicinity of wavelength 306 nm are determined to detect a flame state.