1. A flame detection device capable of detecting and discriminating flame from a local target burner from background radiation from an adjacent burner, said device comprising: a detector for detecting radiation from a flame region, said detector comprising a light detection section containing viewing optics and an imager capable of operating in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelengths. or combinations thereof, for capturing real time images of multiple spatial, temporal and energy features of the radiation from the flame region; a memory for storing the captured images and for storing known characteristics of a known flame; and a processor for extracting characteristic statistical patterns of the real time images and for comparing the characteristic statistical patterns of the real time images to the known characteristics of the known flame so as to determine a confidence level for presence of flame.