The flame in your example need 3 things: fuel, oxygen and heat.
The fuel comes from the candle wax or lighter fluid or whatever, the oxygen comes from the air and the heat initially comes from the flint in a lighter or the friction of striking a match etc.
When you blow, or move air rapidly in some manner, on a flame you move the heat off the fuel for long enough for the reaction to stop.
Porcelet_Sauvage t1_j9ywyrz wrote
Reply to Eli5 What happens when you “slap” a flame to put it out? by YEETAWAYLOL
The flame in your example need 3 things: fuel, oxygen and heat.
The fuel comes from the candle wax or lighter fluid or whatever, the oxygen comes from the air and the heat initially comes from the flint in a lighter or the friction of striking a match etc.
When you blow, or move air rapidly in some manner, on a flame you move the heat off the fuel for long enough for the reaction to stop.