In fire development, what follows the growth stage?

In fire development, the phase that follows the growth stage is known as flashover. This is a critical transition point in the fire development process. During the growth stage, fire gradually increases in size and intensity as it consumes available fuel and oxygen. Once conditions are right—specifically when there is enough heat and the environment becomes sufficiently oxygen-rich—flashover occurs.

Flashover is characterized by a rapid spread of fire throughout a space, where virtually all combustible materials in the area ignite simultaneously due to the high temperatures. This phenomenon marks a significant escalation in fire behavior, leading to an intense and quickly developing stage that can drastically change fire dynamics and significantly increase the danger to life and property. Recognizing the signs of an approaching flashover is essential for firefighting strategies and safety protocols.

The other stages—ignition stage, fully developed stage, and decay stage—each represent different phases in the fire's lifecycle but do not follow the growth stage directly as flashover does. Each of these phases contributes to the overall understanding of fire behavior, but flashover is the crucial stage that specifically follows growth, highlighting the dangers of a rapidly escalating situation.