What does the 'head' of a fire refer to?

The term 'head' of a fire refers to the hottest and most active part of the fire, where flames are typically the most intense and are advancing rapidly. This area is where the fire exhibits the highest rate of spread, fueled by available combustible materials and influenced by environmental factors such as wind. Understanding that the head of the fire is the primary point of concern for firefighters is crucial, as it is often the section that poses the greatest threat to life, property, and natural resources.

In firefighting, recognizing the behavior of the fire, particularly the head, allows firefighters to strategize effectively for containment and suppression efforts. By focusing on this active part, firefighting resources can be allocated to control the forward spread of the fire, helping to prevent it from consuming more area and mitigating danger to crews and local communities.