What is the definition of fire containment?

Fire containment refers to the strategies and measures employed to control the spread of fire, thereby limiting damage and protecting property and lives. This process involves implementing barriers and other tactical actions to ensure that the fire does not expand beyond its current location, preserving the integrity of surrounding areas.

The essence of fire containment is to manage the situation effectively so that emergency responders can eventually extinguish the fire safely and minimize its impact. It is a critical component of fire management that allows for an organized response, enabling firefighters to focus on putting out the fire without letting it jeopardize additional structures or endanger lives in the vicinity.

While extinguishing a fire is certainly an important task in firefighting, it is distinct from containment. Evacuating occupants is a safety procedure but does not directly address controlling the fire's spread itself. Similarly, using water to smother flames is a technique used in extinguishment rather than the broader concept of containment, which encompasses a range of actions and strategies.