If you are fighting a Class Alpha fire and cannot employ direct attack, what angle do you use?

• A. Medium angle fog
• B. Low angle fog
• C. High angle fog
• D. Direct attack

Answer: (A)

When tackling a Class Alpha fire you want to cool the fuel and smother the flames with a fog pattern. If a direct attack isn’t possible, use a medium-angle fog. This gives enough reach to blanket the base of the fire and create a cooling curtain that absorbs heat and prevents reignition, without overshooting or relying on a straight stream. A low-angle fog might not cover the fuel effectively, and a high-angle fog can miss the base of the fire or waste water, while a direct attack isn’t feasible in this situation. So the medium-angle fog is the best option.