OK, I give up for now. I was trying flames length approach once again, but in some cases it's hard to determine is it long or short flame (I really hate right now the way this painting is painted ) And sometimes you don't know is it flame, or branch, should I count it or not

BUT another fact worth notice, maybe it will help someone (I'm too tired and my boss isn't happy too ) - notice that on the outside you have this weird colourless flames. Their number along with colourful flames is... 98 The same as inner flames! That could be something.
Notice also, that those weird colourless flames have one attribute - length. That could lead somewhere.

I give up right now, maybe some time later
Good luck everyone!

PS. I really wonder if the team behind this puzzle test it on someone outside their circle