I would like to make a trigger button that, when pushed would trigger a flame efx file and trigger a hurt area around the flame. How would I do this?

first, make your flame. You can do this by making an fx_runner, then adding the key / value of
fxFile / effects/env/small_fire.efx
You can add the key damage and a value, to add damage.
Once u have your flame, construct what u want your button to be. Put a brush that covers the button and extends out a little. Cover it with system/trigger. Make it into a trigger_multiple, then select the trigger_multiple and the fx_runner, in that order, and press ctrl-k. Make sure u select player_use or use_button or whatever it is for the trigger_multiple. If you want the flame to start off, select startoff in the entity menu for the fx_runner.

That makes sense. Thanks for the tip!