Which firefighting strategy aims for confinement of the fire?

The defensive firefighting strategy is focused on confining the fire to prevent it from spreading beyond its current location. This approach prioritizes the protection of lives and property that are not directly involved with the fire while preventing the situation from worsening. Firefighters using this strategy typically create barriers, such as firebreaks, utilize large volumes of water to cool surrounding areas, and take advantage of natural or built structures to halt the fire’s advance. The goal is to protect unaffected areas, limit exposure to hazard, and allow for safe evacuation if necessary.

In contrast, the offensive strategy involves directly attacking the fire to extinguish it and may put firefighters at greater risk as they advance into the hazard zone. The rescue strategy focuses primarily on saving individuals trapped in dangerous situations, while the support strategy provides logistical assistance and resources to frontline operations but does not directly engage with the fire.