What is the third stage of a fire called?

The third stage of a fire is referred to as "fully involved." At this stage, the fire has reached its peak intensity, and all combustible materials within the fire's vicinity are actively burning. This signifies that the fire has spread beyond the initial source and is consuming available fuel rapidly.

Understanding this stage is crucial as it indicates that the fire is no longer in a controlled phase, and emergency responders need to take appropriate measures to combat it effectively. Recognizing the fully involved stage allows for the assessment of the situation and the determination of firefighting tactics necessary to extinguish the flames safely and efficiently.

The other stages of fire, such as ignition and smoldering, represent earlier phases of fire development. Ignition is when the fire starts, and smoldering describes a stage where combustion is occurring without visible flames. The extinguished phase indicates that the fire has been completely put out, which is not reflective of an active fire scenario.