What is ‘defensive firefighting’?

Defensive firefighting is primarily focused on containing a fire and preventing it from spreading to surrounding areas or structures. This strategy is implemented when conditions are too hazardous for direct engagement with the fire, or when resources are limited. By protecting exposures—those structures or areas that could catch fire due to the nearby blaze—firefighters can mitigate the overall damage and risk to life and property.

In practice, this might involve using barriers, such as creating firebreaks or utilizing water streams to cool surrounding structures and prevent ignition. The emphasis on containment rather than direct attack is crucial in situations where firefighters’ safety is at risk or when the fire is too large or volatile to be directly fought. This approach can be vital in urban environments or when there's a risk of the fire spreading to homes, businesses, or other valuable assets.

While attacking the fire directly, conducting controlled burns, or evacuating people from high-risk areas may be components of an overall firefighting strategy, they do not specifically define defensive firefighting, which centers on the principles of containment and protection.