In fire behavior, what is defined as the phase where fire is spreading rapidly due to available fuel?

The phase where fire is spreading rapidly due to available fuel is referred to as the growth phase. During this stage, the fire has established itself and is beginning to consume the available fuels in the environment, leading to an increase in intensity and spread.

In the growth phase, conditions such as temperature, wind, and the type and arrangement of fuel can significantly influence how quickly the fire advances. As the fire gains momentum, it may transition to the fully developed stage, where it reaches its maximum intensity and size. Understanding this phase is critical for fire personnel as it helps in predicting fire behavior and planning effective control strategies.

The other phases, such as decay and incipient, focus on different aspects of fire development; incipient refers to the very early moments of ignition, where the fire is just beginning, while decay pertains to the phase where the fire has consumed most of its fuel and starts to diminish in intensity.