Rules

Many of the spells call upon an energy called eldritch power. This is a type of energy that only affects beings that are alive or animated.

If you cast a Flame spell at someone and miss and hit a tree, the tree will not catch on fire. Nor can you use an Ice spell to keep your ice cream cold. These spells can only affect creatures that are alive or animated.

IG, they feel like fire or ice when they hit, and you should certainly role-play that out when you are the subject of one.