Which term describes the stage of a fire that has consumed available fuel and is decreasing in intensity?

The term that describes the stage of a fire that has consumed available fuel and is decreasing in intensity is "decay." During the decay phase, the fire begins to lose its strength as it exhausts the combustible materials that have been fueling it. As the fuel sources diminish, the heat and flame intensity associated with the fire start to decline.

This phase follows the peak intensity of the fire, where conditions might have allowed for rapid fire spread and significant heat generation, often experienced in earlier stages such as ignition or during flashover. Understanding the decay phase is vital for fire safety professionals in assessing the fire's behavior and determining appropriate responses for effective fire control or evacuation plans.