Tennessee Firefighter 64-Hour Final Practice Test 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The phases of fire behavior—incipient, free burning, and smoldering—reflect the progression of a fire from its initial start to its growth, and finally to its eventual decline.

In the incipient phase, the fire begins with the ignition of combustible materials, which can result from various sources, like heat, spark, or flame. During this phase, the fire is still relatively small, and there is often a chance for intervention to extinguish it before it grows.

The free burning phase occurs as the fire spreads and intensifies, fueled by available combustible materials and oxygen. During this phase, the fire can grow quickly and reach a point where it can be challenging to control.

Smoldering describes a phase where the fire's intensity diminishes, typically occurring after the fire has burned through the bulk of available fuel but before it is fully extinguished. It can pose a danger if it reignites.

Understanding these phases is vital for firefighters, as they inform tactics for fire suppression and prevention, as well as the overall strategy for managing a fire incident effectively.