In fire response, what does the presence of dark grey smoke typically indicate?

The presence of dark grey smoke during a fire response is a strong indicator of the combustion of plastics and other synthetic materials. As these materials burn, they tend to produce denser and darker smoke due to the incomplete combustion that occurs. This is important for first responders to recognize, as the materials generating dark smoke can release toxic substances and create hazardous conditions within the fire environment.

While high heat content can produce various types of smoke, it does not specifically correlate with the dark grey coloration that is characteristic of burning plastics. Similarly, organic materials might lead to other colors of smoke, such as brown or black, but dark grey generally points more towards synthetic materials. Lightweight structures, while they may affect how a fire behaves, do not directly correlate with the color of smoke produced. Identifying the type of smoke can help responders prepare adequately for the hazards they might encounter during firefighting operations.