What situation is indicated if you open a door and the smoke rises and the opening clears out?

When opening a door and observing that the smoke rises and the opening clears out, it indicates that the fire is above the level of that door. This phenomenon occurs because smoke rises due to its lower density compared to cooler air. As the door is opened, the smoke can escape, creating a clearer view at that level. This behavior suggests that the fire is located in a space above the door, as it produces hot gases that rise, filling the upper areas with smoke while the level of the door remains more clear.

In contrast, if the fire were at the same level as the door, or below it, you would likely see a more significant amount of smoke remaining near the door, preventing it from clearing out as described. If the fire were extinguished, there would be little to no smoke produced at all. Therefore, understanding smoke behavior relative to fire location is crucial for assessing the situation during firefighting activities.