Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

What characterizes the free burning stage of a fire?

1. The fire is out of fuel

2. The energy level begins to grow by consuming air and materials necessary for combustion

3. The temperature has dropped below ignition point

4. Fire suppression efforts begin

The correct answer is: The energy level begins to grow by consuming air and materials necessary for combustion

The free burning stage of a fire is characterized by an increase in energy as the fire consumes available fuel and oxygen. During this stage, combustion is vigorous, leading to higher temperatures and more extensive fire spread. The fire is actively consuming air and materials, allowing it to sustain itself and grow. This stage is marked by an abundance of fuel and sufficient oxygen, which facilitates the rapid and efficient combustion reactions necessary for a strong and self-sustaining fire. The other options describe conditions that do not align with the characteristics of the free burning stage. For instance, stating that the fire is out of fuel contradicts the very idea of free burning, as this stage relies heavily on fuel consumption. Similarly, the idea that the temperature has dropped below the ignition point contradicts the nature of free burning, where high temperatures are present and actively fueling the fire. Lastly, mentioning fire suppression efforts indicates a focus on controlling or extinguishing the fire, which does not describe the free burning stage but rather the subsequent efforts to manage a fire that is already in progress.