What should be considered when evaluating fire behavior and intensity during structure triage?

Evaluating forecasted fire behavior and intensity is crucial during structure triage because it provides valuable information on how the fire is likely to progress and the potential risks to both responders and the structures involved. This assessment helps prioritize which structures can be defended and which may need to be abandoned, thereby ensuring the safety of personnel and the effective allocation of resources. Understanding how fire behavior can change based on environmental factors, such as wind direction and speed, fuels, and topography, is essential in making informed decisions about the firefighting strategy to be employed.

Other considerations, such as the number of nearby fire crews or the location of fire hydrants, while important in a broader operational context, do not directly inform the immediate evaluation of how a fire is behaving in terms of growth and intensity. Additionally, the time of day may influence visibility and temperature but does not provide the same level of predictive insight into fire behavior that forecasted conditions do.