“Forward Progress Stopped” — What It Really Means in a Wildfire
By Del Albright, Retired Fire Chief & Wildfire Educator
When a wildfire breaks out and news reports or fire apps like Watch Duty say, “forward progress has been stopped,” it can be easy to misunderstand what that really means. Many assume the fire is over, the danger is gone, and the work is done. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Let’s break it down clearly — and explain a few related terms while we’re at it.
What Does “Forward Progress Stopped” Mean?
When firefighters say they’ve stopped the forward progress of a wildfire, it means the fast-moving head of the fire is no longer advancing — typically in the direction of critical values like homes and infrastructure.
But the fire is not out.
The wildfire may still be burning:
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Along the flanks (sides)
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Inside the perimeter, in unburned fuel pockets or “islands” inside the burn area
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In spot fires, ignited by wind-blown embers
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Or just smoldering, waiting for wind or weather to flare back up
Plus, improved aerial mapping often shows that more acreage burned earlier than originally estimated — leading to growth in reported fire size, even if no new areas are burning.
Think of it like a campfire: the flames might be under control, but those coals are still hot and dangerous.
What Is Fire “Containment”?
Containment refers to the percentage of the fire’s perimeter that firefighters have surrounded with control lines — whether natural (like rivers or rocky ridges) or man-made (like dozer lines or hand lines).
✅ A fire that is 50% contained has half of its edge secured, but half still vulnerable to escape or flare-up.
What Is a “Controlled” Fire?
“Controlled” means the fire is fully contained and no longer a threat. Crews have:
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Extinguished hot spots
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Secured all perimeters
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Confirmed there’s no potential for flare-ups, even in bad weather
This is the last milestone in fire suppression. But it often takes weeks or even months after forward progress is stopped.
Want to Learn More?
We live in the Mega-Fire Generation — a time when wildfires are bigger, hotter, and more destructive than ever before. Understanding wildfire terminology is just the beginning.
➡️ Learn how we got here, how to be prepared, and what we can do differently in my book:
Welcome to the Mega-Fire Generation
Available now on Amazon.
Here are the 6 essential steps to being wildfire prepared (the 6 P’s).
Stay fire-aware. Stay ready. Stay safe.