What is the main characteristic of the ignition phase of a fire?

The main characteristic of the ignition phase of a fire is that it involves small amounts of combustible material burning. During this phase, a fire starts as a small flame or some smoldering material that begins to heat up and emit gases. When temperature and conditions are right, this initial combustion occurs, but it has not yet expanded significantly. This phase is crucial because ignition can be followed by a rapid transition to the growth phase, where the fire can spread more widely. Understanding this characteristic helps firefighters identify the early stages of fire development and respond appropriately before the fire has a chance to grow out of control.