What is the second phase of fire development?

The second phase of fire development is known as the growth phase. This stage follows the incipient phase, where a fire is first ignited and begins to produce heat and smoke. During the growth phase, the intensity and size of the fire increase as it consumes available fuels and oxygen.

In this phase, the fire becomes more aggressive, and it can spread to adjacent materials, creating a larger fire environment. The growth phase is characterized by the rising temperatures and the increase in the amount of smoke produced.

Understanding the growth phase is crucial for firefighters, as it allows them to recognize the signs of fire progression and implement timely intervention strategies to control and suppress the fire before it reaches the full development stage, where it becomes much more challenging to manage.