What is a characteristic of plume dominated fires?

Plume dominated fires are characterized primarily by the dominance of convection columns. This occurs when the heat generated by the fire is sufficient to create strong upward drafts, resulting in a rising vertical column of hot air and smoke. As a result, these convection columns can significantly influence the behavior of the fire, causing it to spread in unpredictable ways based on environmental conditions.

The strong convection can lead to complex fire behavior, including erratic fire spread and spot fires, as embers can be carried upward and then dropped at considerable distances away from the main fire. This characteristic is critical for firefighting strategies, as understanding the behavior of the plume influenced by these convection columns can help predict fire movement and intensity.

In contrast, while wind can be an influential factor in fire behavior, its role differs in plume dominated fires compared to other types of fire scenarios. Similarly, plume dominated fires are not typically associated with low intensity, as the strong convective currents usually correlate with higher intensity and rapid spread. Thus, the defining feature of plume dominated fires lies in the significant influence of convection columns on fire behavior.