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A staple of the Starter Pokemon trio, Fire-types are very popular among fans. They're often considered one of the cooler types, with designs full of energy and power. They're not complex in their strength like Psychic-types, they're just all about coming in and burning it down.
With 75 Fire Pokemon, most Generations have a wide selection to choose from, and the majority of them are quite popular among the fanbase. While a select few sit among the Legendary Pokemon, the bulk of them are relatively easy to find in their respective games, so people form bonds with them much easier than some other types.
8 Generation 1 - Arcanine
The original 151 Pokemon have a lot to offer fans of Fire, and all of them are great in their own way. Charizard is an icon of the franchise, getting so much special treatment from Game Freak that some fans consider it overrated. Meanwhile, Ninetales, Rapidash, Flareon, and a bunch more are reliable team members with a distinctive visual flair.
Arcanine stands above the crowd for its raw power. The Pokedex classifies it as "The Legendary Pokemon", and its look is so powerful that newer fans often confusedly believe it is an actual Legendary. It still sees usage in competitive play in the franchise's modern era, so it must be doing something right.
7 Generation 2 - Ho-oh
Johto's selection of Fire-types is a little less impressive than Kanto's, but there are still some great options. While baby Pokemon like Magby aren't anything impressive, Magcargo & Houndoom are simple & classic designs. On top of that, Typholosion is another beloved Starter, and Entei is like Arcanine but bigger.
When it comes to regality and grace, there are few better than Ho-oh. An integral Pokemon to any fan of the anime, Ho-oh is everything Moltres wanted to be. It's designed in such a way that it's clearly a Fire-type just from looking at it, but it doesn't need flames sticking out of everywhere to convey that.
6 Generation 3 - Blaziken
Generation III marks the start of the era where Fire-types were in short supply. This isn't as bad as it would get, but there's not a lot to choose from for Hoenn Fire fans. Torkoal is a good Pokemon but is a little boring. Camerupt has a lot more to offer, but that's all there is.
That said, Blaziken probably would've won in this Generation anyway because it's an extremely strong design. The Generation III starters are arguably the strongest trio in terms of how beloved they are, and Blaziken is a crucial part of that. Despite having a humanoid shape, it doesn't feel too human in the way it moves, and while Fire/Fighting would eventually get tiresome, here it was a dynamic combination.
5 Generation 4 - Infernape
Generation IV's Fire drought is even worse than its predecessor. Platinum added Magmortor, who is just an addition to an existing evolution line. Outside of that, there are only 2 fully original Fire evolution lines, and one of them - Heatran - is a Legendary, so they can't be obtained until the post-game.
This all makes Infernape's victory seem pretty lackluster; however, it is still one of the most beloved Fire Pokemon out there. Two Fire/Fighting-types in a row wasn't a problem for most fans, and it got a fantastic role in the Diamond & Pearl anime, which saw it become one of, if not the best Pokemon Ash has ever owned.
4 Generation 5 - Volcarona
Unova finally pulled Fire Pokemon out of their tail-spin and added a proper range for trainers on their journey. Not all of them are great, though. Emboar is one of the most commonly derided starters, thanks to being the third Fire/Fighting-type in a row. There's good to be, though, with Heatmor & Shandelure both being great Pokemon, Chandelure especially having a fun type combination.
Volarona blows everything away, though. This Fire/Bug was highly sought after in Generation V, its spot at the end of the Unova Pokedex, and the way in which it's found in Black & White, leading many to believe it was a Legendary Pokemon at first.
3 Generation 6 - Talonflame
Generation VI once again gave fewer new Fire-types, although this is more because of the low number of new Pokemon in general. Delphox is a middling starter, depending on how tolerant of human-like Pokemon trainers are. Pyroar isn't the most spectacular monster ever, but it's a solid team member for those that like it.
If Ho-oh was the example of how to do a Legendary Fire bird, Talonflame is the example of how to do a non-Legendary one. Kalos' regional bird ranks among the best. It was used competitively for a while and has such a beautiful design & mix of color that few birds can top it.
2 Generation 7 - Salazzle
Generation VII's lineup of Fire Pokemon is once again short, but much stronger overall. Incineroar is a fairly popular starter with a cool type combination, while Turtanator looks like quite the powerhouse. Blacephalon is inexplicably a Fire-type too (which is sort of the point of Ultra Beasts), and it looks weird in just the right way for this kind of Pokemon.
Salazzle is the best because it has the most streamlined design. It's not super complex-looking, but there's just enough detail in there to make it compelling to look at. Some consider its design to be overly feminized, but given that it's impossible for this Pokemon to be male, it's a fair design choice.
1 Generation 8 - Coalossal
Generation VIII is, unfortunately, another that lets Fire-types down in a major way. There are just 3 wholely original evolution lines. Cinderace is a decent starter and has a solid theme, but it's just a little too human for some. Centiskorch is much better; it's very distinctive and even has a Gigantamax form, but it falls to pieces if a Rock Pokemon so much as looks at it.
Coalossal is the best, but even it has some downsides. It's a bit visually dull thanks to the muted colors, even if it is on-theme. Its Gigantamax form is great, with a rather powerful move. It's even seen some competitive use thanks to its Hidden Ability.