Which method involves digging a line around the fire?

The method that involves digging a line around the fire is known as an indirect attack. This approach is generally employed when it is safer to contain the fire from a distance rather than engaging it directly. By establishing a line around the fire, firefighters can create a controlled boundary that can be used to prevent the fire from spreading further. This method allows for more strategic planning, taking into account factors such as terrain and fire behavior, and may involve using existing natural barriers to their advantage.

In contrast, the other options do not specifically pertain to digging a line around the fire. Cold trailing refers to the process of locating the edges of a fire by checking for heat signs when the fire has decreased in intensity. Hot spotting is a method of identifying areas with the most intense burning or heat, often leading to prioritization of firefighting efforts, but does not involve creating a perimeter. Burnout involves intentionally burning fuel between a control line and the fire to eliminate fuel and prevent the fire's spread, but it doesn't require the creation of a line by digging. Therefore, an indirect attack is the method that clearly involves digging a line around the fire.