Fuel, heat and oxygen are all needed in the right combination to produce fire. By nature, a triangle needs three sides. Take away one of the sides, and the triangle collapses. The same is true of fire. Take away any of the three components of fire fuel, heat or oxygen the fire collapses, meaning that it can t burn.
Firefighters try to do just that remove one of the three essential components of fire.
For example, when they dig a line around a fire, fuel is removed. When water is dropped on a fire, it reduces the heat. Retardant, a thick, soupy substance, coats fuels, blocking them from oxygen. If you think of fighting fire in terms of breaking the fire triangle, then it s easier to understand the tactics of firefighters. The more heat, the faster the fire spreads.