If objects were to catch fire when traveling near the speed of light, it would have significant implications for our understanding of physics. However, based on our current understanding, there is no direct relationship between an object's speed and its propensity to catch fire.
When objects move at high speeds, such as a significant fraction of the speed of light, they can experience a phenomenon called time dilation, where time appears to pass more slowly for the moving object relative to a stationary observer. This effect arises from Einstein's theory of relativity.
From the perspective of an observer traveling near the speed of light, they would perceive time passing normally within their reference frame. However, an outside observer would see time passing more slowly for the moving object. This time dilation effect has been experimentally verified and is an integral part of our understanding of the universe.
In terms of fire, it is a chemical process involving the rapid oxidation of a combustible material in the presence of heat and oxygen. The conditions required for combustion are not directly affected by an object's velocity. Fire requires fuel, an oxidizer (usually oxygen), and an ignition source, such as heat or a spark.
Therefore, as long as the necessary conditions for combustion are not altered, there is no reason to expect that objects traveling at high speeds would spontaneously catch fire. However, it's worth noting that traveling at extremely high speeds could potentially generate heat due to air friction or other factors, and this heat could cause flammable materials to ignite. But this is a result of increased kinetic energy and not a direct consequence of the object's speed.
It's important to remember that our current understanding of physics is based on extensive experimental evidence and theoretical frameworks like the theory of relativity. If new discoveries or theories emerge that challenge our understanding, our knowledge may evolve accordingly.