What is the intent of an indirect fire attack?

The intent of an indirect fire attack is primarily to quickly absorb as much heat as possible from the fire atmosphere. This technique involves directing water into the upper levels of a compartment where the fire gases are located. When water is applied as steam or vapor high in the room, it absorbs significant heat and reduces the temperature of the gaseous environment. This can effectively lower the thermal energy available to sustain combustion, disrupting the fire's ability to continue burning.

This strategy is particularly useful in situations where direct suppression methods may be too dangerous or impractical, such as in fully involved structures or in scenarios where visibility is severely limited. By absorbing heat, firefighters can also create a safer environment for personnel to operate in while protecting egress routes and improving overall conditions.

While other options touch on various aspects of fire behavior and suppression, they do not directly define the primary intent of the indirect fire attack as clearly as the absorption of heat does. For example, mixing fire gases with water vapor or causing the gases to condense focuses on different mechanisms of smoke and gas management, which are secondary effects rather than the main objective of an indirect attack.