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[Funk]

for now you csn use Warlord's Bonfire Mod

[Wirevix]

As far as seeing in the dark and light sensitivity:  Technically, once you reach complete darkness (as you would underground), nothing can see.  No animal, anyway.  Eyeballs are dependent on light, even though some creatures have a very sensitive eyes and can make do with very little light, they still need some.  Which is why subterranean creatures generally depend on other senses to navigate and have weak or no eyesight at all.  I'm not sure if night vision cameras are still reliant on light or not, I can't recall.  Thermal imaging works.

Which means that as far as their eyes go, dwarves can't "see in the dark" because the concept doesn't actually exist once you reach true complete darkness.

And as far as light sensitivity, I'd think that if dwarves have torches to begin with, that'd never happen, since they'd be lighting their way from the start.  Though that does call into question their evolutionary balance, if they are subterranean creatures by nature who still depend on vision.  I've always imagined dwarves have fine vision when they're above ground, but underground rely on other senses--either some sort of semi-mystical "earth sense," if we're being fantasy, or heat-sensing like a pit viper.

Or, I suppose, beard sonar.

[Loud Whispers]

Dwarves don't live in total darkness though. Light from the surface can leak from the most unlikely sources, and after cave adaptation you'd bet it'd be enough for their drunken eyeballs

Also, fun fact for you, humans release light energy. Not nearly enough for us to notice, but enough for our stumpy friends. Which might mean cave adapted Dwarves don't see their surroundings - they see what's in them, judging by depth and reflection.

[dwarfhoplite]

That doesn't mean they wouldn't mind extra light

[Loud Whispers]

That doesn't mean they wouldn't mind extra light

magma.

[kaenneth]

Dwarves already have torches, they are right next to the toilets, and physical intimacy.

(spoilered for nightmare nausea fuel)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dwarven beards host a symbiotic fungus that feeds off any and all body waste, eliminating the need for toilets, sewers, etc. the fungus-spores not only act as carriers of dwarven sperm to the females beards (note: females dwarves do not have beards on their faces)  they also gently coat any exposed surface in bioluminesent residue.

[Escapism]

Something I'd really like is a designation for setting things on fire.

Of course, dwarven fire AI would need to be handled first, but after that, the possibilities would be endless. Loading wooden logs on a mine cart, setting them on fire and then send them flying towards a group of hapless goblins? Or better yet, elves would surely love having the burning corpses of their treefriends hurled at them! Even more grand, why not greet your besiegers with flying !!Elves!!? Closed areas filled with logs/vegetation that the invaders have to pass through before reaching your fortress, in which invaders can be trapped while you light a carefully placed fuse and watch them go down in an infernal mayhem? Fiery apocalypse (on forest embarks, much to the elves dismay) WITHOUT an endless amount of magma pump/volcano on the surface? Unleashing hundreds of burning cats upon your opponents at whim? Burning a bridge which your assailants have recklessly charged upon?

Yeah. 

I added a suggestion for this on the eternal voting thing. With the rumoured upcoming fix to dwarven fire AI and mine carts, I think we could not ask for a better time.

Edit: Suggestion is named "Fire on demand"

[Niyazov]

In keeping with the medieval, pre-Newtonian theme of Dwarf Fortress, I've always imagined that dwarf vision works via emission theory.

[aka010101]

Realistically, we're looking at this kinda thing to be implemented whenever toady gets around to the 'lights' goal, whenever that may be. However... my two cents on the topic

Dwarves have VASTLY better low-light vision than humans. They're not gonna need anywhere NEAR as much light. Cave adapted dwarves probably have even better low-light vision. Most fortresses aren't gonna need a ton of light sources, but maybe have a personality preference towards light or dark places.

Smoke is going to have a LOT of effects, and i'm not entirely sure how to handle it, but here's a few thoughts.

• Going to have applications in beekeeping, since smoke is usually used to placate the bees during honey collection.
• Similarly, in warm or swampy areas, it will serve an important role in keeping bugs away. Being swarmed by gnats will probably give ANY dwarf unhappy thoughts.
• Could be used when food spoiling is implemented. Dwarves could smoke meat to keep it fresh longer. Or dry it out, but that's another thread.
• And of course, in true DF tradition, use it on invaders! Smoke screens, choking smoke traps, and whatever the community's twisted imaginations can come up with.

[UHaulDwarf]

I don't think that there is a need for torches or bonfires for light in caves. All the light needed is mysteriously provided already.
What is the source of the mysterious light? Why don't you dig a little deeper and find out.

[slothen]

this has been suggested like a million times and is already a planned feature, although it is perhaps not well conceptualized at this time.