Final answer:
The brown color of the smoke indicates incomplete combustion, likely due to a lack of oxygen or fuel not burning efficiently. Firefighters need to recognize the color of smoke to inform their firefighting strategy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brown color of the smoke indicates that it is likely due to incomplete combustion. When materials burn completely, the smoke produced is usually white or light gray. However, when there is insufficient oxygen or fuel combustion is incomplete, brown or black smoke can be formed.
In the case of a fire, brown smoke can suggest the presence of smoldering or smoky fires, where the fuel is not burning as efficiently as it should. This can occur when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment.
It is important for firefighters to identify the color of smoke as it can provide valuable information about the situation and guide their firefighting strategy. Brown smoke may indicate the need for additional ventilation or a change in tactics to improve air circulation and increase the supply of oxygen to the fire.