What type of operation involves the close-range application of water to the fire?

The operation that involves the close-range application of water to the fire is characterized as offensive. In offensive operations, firefighters actively engage with the fire, employing direct techniques to control and extinguish it. This approach often involves entering the structure or the area immediately affected by the fire to apply water directly to the flames, which helps in swiftly reducing the heat, extinguishing the fire, and protecting lives.

Close-range water application also allows for more effective penetration of the fire, as water can target the flames directly, cooling the surrounding environment and preventing fire spread more efficiently. Conversely, defensive operations focus on protecting exposures and controlling the fire from a safe distance, while indirect methods utilize tactics that do not involve immediate engagement with the flames. Supportive operations generally assist in logistics or coordination without direct fire control engagement. Therefore, the focus on a direct and immediate attack on the fire classifies this operation as offensive.