What is the second phase of an active fire referred to as?

• A. Ignition phase
• B. Free-burning phase
• C. Smoldering phase
• D. Combustion phase

Answer: (B)

The second phase of an active fire is referred to as the free-burning phase. This phase follows the ignition phase, during which the fire has established itself and is actively consuming fuel. In the free-burning phase, the fire reaches its peak intensity as it consumes the available combustible materials, producing significant heat, light, and smoke.

During this phase, the fire has enough oxygen and fuel to burn vigorously and is often characterized by rapid spread and high temperatures. Understanding this phase is crucial for fire management and safety protocols, as it can dictate the strategies used by firefighters to control or extinguish the fire. The dynamics of the free-burning phase are important, as fire behavior can vary significantly based on available fuel types, weather conditions, and topography.