What indicates that the fire is on the same level as entry when observing smoke?

When observing smoke, if it rises to the midway point of the door, this is a strong indication that the fire is on the same level as the entry point. This observation relates to the behavior of smoke, as smoke typically rises due to heat, filling the available space above and often indicating the location of the fire area. When the smoke reaches the midway point of the door, it suggests that the fire is likely located on that same level, prompting firefighters to be prepared for the conditions they may encounter upon entering and to select the appropriate tactics to engage with the fire effectively.

Other smoke behaviors, such as rapid dissipation or smoke pushing from the top, indicate different fire dynamics, with rapid dissipation potentially suggesting a lower intensity fire or ventilation, and smoke pushing out from the top potentially indicating a fire below that may be influencing the smoke movement. Additionally, while dark and thick smoke may indicate a potentially hazardous fire, it does not specifically point to the location of the fire in relation to the entry level.