What is the primary way water extinguishes fire?

Water extinguishes fire primarily by cooling the fire. When water is applied to a fire, it absorbs heat from the flames and surrounding materials, lowering their temperature. This cooling effect can bring the temperature of the burning materials below their ignition point, effectively stopping the combustion process.

While the conversion of water to steam does take place and can help smother flames, it is the direct cooling of the fire that plays the most significant role in extinguishing it. The heat absorption occurs rapidly, making water an effective firefighting agent. Reducing airflow is another method of extinguishing a fire, but in the case of water, the primary mechanism remains its ability to absorb heat and lower temperatures.