Which smoke attribute helps to determine what materials are burning and the stage of fire?

Smoke color is a critical attribute in fire behavior that provides valuable information about what materials are burning and the stage of the fire. Different materials produce smoke of varying colors based on their chemical composition and the combustion process. For example, smoke from burning wood tends to be white or gray, while plastics or synthetic materials can produce thick black smoke due to incomplete combustion.

In addition, the color of smoke can indicate the stage of the fire; for instance, an early stage fire may produce lighter-colored smoke as materials start to ignite, while a fully developed fire is often associated with dark, dense smoke due to the presence of unburned soot particles. Thus, analyzing smoke color is essential for firefighters to assess not only the type of materials involved but also to gauge how far along the fire is in its development, which can inform tactical decisions on suppression and safety.