What is the target of the hose stream in a direct attack?

In a direct attack on a fire, the primary target of the hose stream is the burning surfaces. This approach involves directing the water or extinguishing agent directly onto the materials that are actively burning. By cooling these surfaces, the heat and flames are reduced, which helps to extinguish the fire more effectively.

Focusing the stream on burning surfaces also minimizes the potential for flashover and helps to control the fire's spread by addressing it at its source. In contrast, addressing hot overhead gases can be important as well; however, it is a secondary strategy since it does not directly extinguish the flames. The direct attack method prioritizes the immediate reduction of fire intensity by cooling and extinguishing fuel surfaces, making it a critical tactic for suppressing fires efficiently.

While protecting exposure surfaces and the most threatened exposure is important in firefighting operations, these actions typically complement the direct attack strategy rather than serve as the primary focus during the initial phase of fire suppression.