What is the best method of extinguishment during the incipient phase?

During the incipient phase of a fire, the flames are small and typically contained. The best method of extinguishment involves applying water directly to the base of the fire. This approach is effective for a few reasons.

Firstly, applying water to the base of the fire counteracts the heat and can lower the temperature enough to extinguish the flames. It also helps to cool the surrounding materials, preventing the fire from spreading. In this early stage, the fire has not yet gained enough size or intensity to present significant dangers that would necessitate more aggressive tactics or specialized equipment.

Moreover, water acts as a smothering agent while simultaneously cooling the fire. It has the added benefit of being easily accessible in many environments, not requiring complex procedures or tools. Therefore, targeting the base with water effectively disrupts the fire's combustion process during its initial growth phase.

In other methods, while covering a fire with a blanket or evacuating may be viable in certain scenarios, they do not directly address the flames or extinguish the fire as effectively as applying water does. Therefore, targeting the base of the fire is the most practical solution during this critical phase.