Final answer:
Keeping the fire burning is important to Ralph because it provides warmth, acts as a signal for rescue, and symbolizes power and leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Keeping the fire burning is important to Ralph for several reasons.
Firstly, fire is a source of warmth. In the story, the boys are stranded on an uninhabited island, and fire provides them with heat to survive in the cold climate.
Secondly, fire is a signal for rescue. Ralph believes that if they can keep a fire burning, it will act as a signal for passing ships or planes to rescue them.
Lastly, fire is a symbol of power. Ralph understands that having control over fire gives him authority and the ability to maintain order on the island. It represents his leadership and his role as the chief.