Faux Flame

[JonnyMac]

Stumbled on this today -- results are quite nice, and being 12v you could use Prop-1, etc., to activate it.

-- http://dheera.net/projects/fakeflame.php

[menehune]

I've seen stage props that use the same principle.  Fireplaces can be made with three or more light "silks" and a long blower fan across the bottom, just behind the fireplace logs.  Use a flicker bulb (or a WickLED  ;) ) to vary the light intensity and you should get a nice flame effect.