What is one of the 18 Watch Out Situations related to fire safety?

One of the critical "Watch Out Situations" related to fire safety is that fire is not scouted and sized up. This principle emphasizes the importance of assessing the fire environment before making tactical decisions. Proper scouting involves observing the fire's behavior, the layout of the terrain, and potential hazards. It also encompasses evaluating the fire's size, intensity, and rate of spread, which are vital for developing an effective strategy and ensuring the safety of the firefighting crew.

By neglecting to scout and size up the fire, a crew may operate under false assumptions, leading to dangerous situations, inadequate responses, and potentially devastating outcomes. This concept is integral to maintaining situational awareness and mitigating risks in firefighting operations. Hence, recognizing that a fire has not been adequately evaluated is an essential component of ensuring safety and effectiveness on the fire ground.