What does it mean when a fire is described as fully involved?

When a fire is described as fully involved, it signifies that the fire has progressed to a state where all accessible materials and surfaces are engulfed in flames. This term indicates that the intensity of the fire is at its peak, with little to no area of the involved structure or materials remaining unaffected. At this stage, the fire poses a significant risk to the surrounding areas and is challenging to control due to the extensive fuel that is ignited.

Being fully involved also implies a lack of containment, showing that the fire has spread beyond its initial confines and becoming a major emergency situation requiring immediate and robust firefighting efforts. In contrast to other scenarios where a fire might be contained, extinguished, or burning slowly, a fully involved fire represents an immediate and critical threat that necessitates urgent attention and action from emergency responders.