Which type of fire attack has the primary objective of preventing the fire from spreading?

The primary objective of a defensive fire attack is to prevent the fire from spreading. In situations where the fire is too large, intense, or presents a high danger to firefighters, a defensive approach allows crews to focus on protecting exposures—such as nearby structures, vegetation, or environments that could ignite—rather than aggressively attacking the fire head-on. This strategy typically involves the use of water streams to cool down the area and create a barrier against the progression of the fire, prioritizing safety and prevention over extinguishment.

It's crucial to understand that while other fire attack strategies, like offensive, direct, and indirect attacks, aim to extinguish the fire, they might involve aggressive maneuvers into the fire zone to directly combat the flames. However, a defensive attack is more about controlling the situation and ensuring that the fire does not spread further, which is key in scenarios where direct intervention could pose a high risk to firefighters and the surrounding community.