The difference between flame spread and fire spread is:

The distinction between flame spread and fire spread is essential for understanding fire dynamics. Flame spread specifically refers to the movement of flames across the surface of a fuel, which can include how quickly a fire can travel across materials like wood or fabric. This movement is influenced by various factors such as the type of material, its moisture content, and the configuration of the surfaces involved.

On the other hand, fire spread encompasses a broader concept that includes not only the advancement of flames across a particular fuel surface but also the ignition of adjacent fuels that were not initially burning. This means that fire spread is concerned with how a fire can extend beyond its original source to ignite new materials, resulting in increased fire intensity and size.

Understanding this difference is critical for fire investigation technicians as it aids in fire origin determination and assessing the potential for fire growth in a given environment.