A flame simulation method including: identifying, by a computing device, a maximum brightness level value and a primary event generation level; setting, in response to determining that a first event occurred based on the primary event generation level, a secondary event generation level; adjusting the secondary event generation level towards a baseline secondary event generation level; adjusting a current brightness value of a lighting element of a flame simulation apparatus towards the maximum brightness level value; setting, in response to determining that a second event occurred based on the secondary event generation level, the current brightness level value of the lighting element to a value less than the maximum brightness level; and controlling, by the computing device, a brightness level of the lighting element to correspond to the current brightness level value of the lighting element.