What is a fuel-controlled fire?

A fuel-controlled fire refers to a scenario where the characteristics of the fuel—such as its type, quantity, and arrangement—significantly influence the fire's behavior, including its heat release rate and growth rate. This means that the fire's intensity and spread are directly tied to the fuel's physical and chemical properties. For example, different materials burn at varying rates and release different amounts of energy. Therefore, the characteristics of the available fuel play a critical role in determining how the fire develops and propagates.

In contrast, a fire that is described as burning independently of its fuel source would not be classified as fuel-controlled, because it indicates a lack of reliance on fuel characteristics to influence its behavior. Similarly, a completely extinguished fire does not have any active combustion, and a fire occurring only in open-air conditions does not address the influence of fuel on fire dynamics. Understanding the concept of fuel-controlled fires is essential for investigators to assess fire behavior accurately and identify causes during fire investigations.