What is an example of indirect firefighting?

Indirect firefighting involves methods that do not directly attack the flames but aim to control the fire's spread or mitigate its effects. Shutting off ventilation is a key example of this approach. By reducing airflow to the fire, it decreases the oxygen supply, which is essential for combustion. This can help limit the intensity of the fire and slow its spread, providing an opportunity to address the fire more directly at a later stage or to allow for the safe evacuation of personnel.

In contrast, using foam suppressants and directly fighting the fire with water are both considered direct firefighting strategies, as they actively engage the fire itself. Creating barriers around the fire area can also be seen as a form of indirect firefighting, but it primarily aims to confine the fire rather than hinder its immediate growth through reducing oxygen supply. Thus, shutting off ventilation represents a strategic method to control fire by limiting its necessary combustion factors without direct engagement.