A fireplace assembly having a firebox, an igniter assembly coupled to the firebox and containing a heating element, a first portion of the igniter assembly extending through an aperture in a firebox wall, the igniter assembly having a first connector coupled to the heating element and coupleable to power source, and having a second connector coupleable to an air source and positioned to provide air flow through the igniter assembly over the heating element and into the firebox. A controller is operatively coupled to the igniter assembly and a temperature sensor. The controller controls operation of the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the air flow through the igniter assembly, and can activate and deactivate the igniter assembly based upon the temperature within the firebox.