Which wildfire benchmark status indicates the fire has been extinguished?

• A. Out of control
• B. Being held
• C. Under control
• D. Extinguished

Answer: (D)

When a wildfire has truly ended, there’s no heat or flames left and all hot spots are cooled or mopped up. That state is described as extinguished. It means crews have removed the active fire activity and the area can be monitored to prevent rekindling. The other statuses indicate the fire is still active in some way: being held means control lines are in place and the fire isn’t expected to spread, but there can still be active burning inside; under control means the fire is largely contained and mop-up is ongoing; out of control means the fire is still spreading and not yet contained. Extinguished is the benchmark that signals complete extinguishment.