Here's why:
* The vowel sound: The "a" in "flame" is a short vowel sound, similar to the "a" in "cat" or "hat". Short vowels are typically pronounced quickly and with a shorter duration.
* The overall word length: The word "flame" itself is relatively short, with only four letters. Short words tend to have a quicker pronunciation.
While the "e" at the end of "flame" is silent, it does affect the vowel sound, making it a short sound.