Uncontained Fires should not be allowed within how many feet of a structure?

• A. 20 Feet
• B. 75 Feet
• C. 50 Feet
• D. 100 Feet

Answer: (C)

Exposure reduction is the key idea: keeping uncontained fires a safe distance from a structure minimizes the chance that radiant heat or drifting embers will ignite the building or nearby materials. Fifty feet provides a practical buffer where siding, windows, decks, and nearby combustibles are less likely to catch fire, and it also allows firefighters room to access the area and work safely. If fires were closer, the heat and embers could reach the structure more easily, increasing the risk of ignition. Distances like twenty feet are too close for adequate protection, while much larger gaps such as seventy-five or one hundred feet are typically more than necessary for this purpose.