When can a fire be considered fully extinguished?

A fire is considered fully extinguished when the overhaul process is complete. Overhaul involves inspecting the area affected by the fire to ensure there are no remaining hot spots, smoldering materials, or hidden extensions of fire that could reignite. This step is crucial as it confirms that all remnants of the fire are addressed and that the risk of re-ignition is minimized.

While completing a secondary search and loss control are important elements of fire response, they do not necessarily indicate that the fire itself has been fully extinguished. Similarly, finishing the suppression operation may involve putting out the visible flames, but it does not encompass the thorough inspection and remedial actions taken during overhaul. Thus, the completion of overhaul is the definitive step that confirms a fire is fully extinguished.