Final answer:
The close-range application of water to a fire is carried out during fire suppression operations, designed to control and extinguish fires and protect life and property. Firefighters must wear fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus for protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The objective of close-range application of water to the fire is known as a fire suppression operation. This type of operation involves various strategies to control and extinguish fires to protect life and property.
During fire suppression operations, firefighters may enter burning buildings to assess fires and situations and to apply water directly to the fire, cooling and extinguishing it. These operations require firefighters to wear specialized equipment, like fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus, to safeguard against the intense heat and toxic smoke produced by the fire.