During a fire, what happens to the smoke as temperatures rise?

As temperatures rise during a fire, the smoke stratifies into layers. This phenomenon occurs because hot smoke is less dense than the cooler air surrounding it. As a result, the hot smoke rises, creating a layered effect known as stratification.

In a fire scenario, this stratification can lead to the formation of different layers of smoke and heat within the environment. The layer closest to the ceiling is usually the hottest and contains the most smoke, while the cooler air can be found lower down. Understanding this behavior is crucial for firefighting, as it helps responders to navigate smoke-filled areas more effectively, anticipate fire behavior, and devise strategies to control or extinguish the fire.

The other potential choices do not accurately describe what happens to smoke during a fire. For instance, smoke does not become denser; rather, it becomes less dense and rises. It also does not dissipate quickly; in fact, smoke can linger and accumulate in a confined space. Lastly, smoke does not cool down in a way that would negate its stratification; it continues to rise and form layers based on its temperature and density.