I know you're just using it as an off-hand metaphor but fire is actually one of the most useful tools in preventing and fighting large fires (e.g. forest fires).
> But liberals will blame capitalism anyway, not government.
The "no true capitalism" of the libertarians ? Communists also claim USSR was "no true communism". A doctrine or ideology is never "pure" or "perfect" in practice since men aren't.
The only difference being that places with more liberty are more prosperous, and places with more socialism are less prosperous. There doesn't seem to be an optimal 'middle-ground'.