A system and method for optimizing combustion in boiler. The optimization of the combustion in the boiler involves obtaining various data relating to the flow of fuel and air to burners of the boiler and the flame in the burner zone of the boiler that is generated from the introduction of the fuel and air into the burner zone. The data is used to determine air flows to the burners. The data and air flows are used to balance air and fuel at individual burners by manipulating air to match the fuel flow. The balancing of air and fuel at individual burners by manipulating air to match the fuel flow uses a guided search optimization algorithm that mixes stoichiometry determinations with a custom search algorithm that accounts for measurement inaccuracies and unexpected interactions between burners.