In a ________ lay, the hose is laid out from the fire to the hydrant.

In a reverse lay, the hose is laid out from the fire scene back to the water source, such as a hydrant. This method is particularly useful in situations where the fire is located a distance from the hydrant, allowing firefighters to establish a water supply while simultaneously moving toward the fire. By laying the hose back to the hydrant, firefighters can ensure that they have a consistent supply of water as they approach the incident, which can be critical in firefighting operations.

This technique helps in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the operation by ensuring that the hose remains easy to manage and allows for quicker response times in firefighting. The other methods of laying hose involve different procedures and do not fit this particular description of the hose being laid from the fire towards the hydrant.