What is the third step of the Three-Step Process for Reading Smoke?

The third step of the Three-Step Process for Reading Smoke focuses on understanding how quickly the smoke's characteristics are changing as a fire develops. This involves observing the rate of change in attributes such as color, density, volume, and velocity of the smoke.

By determining the rate of change, firefighters can assess how the conditions of the fire may be evolving. For instance, if the smoke is becoming darker and denser at a rapid pace, this could indicate a significant fuel load or an increase in the intensity of the fire, which may alert responders to evolving hazards, such as the potential for flashover or structural compromise.

In the context of firefighting and incident management, recognizing the rapidity of these changes is crucial for making informed decisions about tactics and strategies to ensure the safety of personnel and civilians alike. Understanding the behavior of smoke allows incident safety officers to communicate risks effectively and adapt to potentially dynamic conditions on the scene.