What indicators signify that a fire is worsening during a response?

Increased smoke volume serves as a crucial indicator that a fire is worsening. When a fire becomes more intense, it typically generates greater amounts of smoke. This increase in smoke volume can signal that the fire is consuming more materials and producing more combustion byproducts, which may indicate a transition to a more dangerous phase of the fire, such as flashover. As smoke builds, it can limit visibility, complicate firefighting efforts, and pose greater risks to both firefighters and potential victims.

While property damage can indicate that a fire has been active for some time, it does not specifically communicate the current state of the fire's intensity. Quiet surroundings might suggest that the fire has burned down or that people have evacuated, but it does not provide direct insight into the fire's status. Lastly, the absence of visible flames could indicate that the fire is smoldering rather than raging, but it does not necessarily mean that the situation is under control. Therefore, monitoring smoke volume is vital for understanding the progression of a fire during an emergency response.