A sustained high-intensity fire with a growing convection column indicates a possible:

A sustained high-intensity fire with a growing convection column suggests the presence of a firestorm. A firestorm is characterized by intense heat generated by a large and uncontrolled fire that can create its own wind patterns, resulting in a supersized convection column. This phenomenon can draw in surrounding air and create extremely turbulent conditions, leading to increased fire spread and intensity.

As the fire grows, it produces a significant amount of heat, which further fuels its own dynamics. The convection column associated with a firestorm is strong enough to lift embers and other flammable materials high into the atmosphere, potentially starting new fires downwind. Understanding the signs of a firestorm is crucial for incident safety officers, as this scenario poses considerable risks to firefighting efforts and surrounding areas.

In contrast, while terms like blowup, flare-up, and area ignition all describe fire behavior, they do not capture the expansive and intense conditions associated with a firestorm. A blowup typically refers to a sudden increase in fire activity over a limited area, a flare-up indicates a localized resurgence of fire intensity, and area ignition refers to the scenario where a fire spreads rapidly across a broad area. Each of these scenarios involves different fire behaviors and implications for management and response.