Dry smoke
- Fire & smoke
- Water
Smoke type: Dry smoke
Dry, powdery, non-greasy. Falls off surfaces more readily.
It is the most forgiving residue, but it travels into cracks and wall cavities on heat, so surface appearance understates the spread.
Fast-burning, high-temperature fires with paper and wood. Dry, powdery, non-greasy. Falls off surfaces more readily. It is the most forgiving residue, but it travels into cracks and wall cavities on heat, so surface appearance understates the spread. The distinction matters because it changes what the work actually is, and therefore what it costs.
What produces it Link to this section
Fast-burning, high-temperature fires with paper and wood.
What it looks like Link to this section
Dry, powdery, non-greasy. Falls off surfaces more readily.
Why it matters Link to this section
It is the most forgiving residue, but it travels into cracks and wall cavities on heat, so surface appearance understates the spread.
What comes next
A structure fire also brought suppression water, which is rarely Category 1 by the time anyone can get in. See water categories, and past the drying window, mold.
Sources
Every source cited on this page
- T2ANSI/IICRC S700 — IICRC (accessed 2026-08-22)
- T2ANSI/IICRC S500 — IICRC (accessed 2026-08-22)