What can be a cause of limited visibility during firefighting operations?

Limited visibility during firefighting operations can primarily be attributed to smoke, which is generated from burning materials. Smoke not only reduces the amount of light that can penetrate an area but also can contain particulates and gases that create an overwhelming visual obstruction. This is particularly dangerous in firefighting environments, as it can impede the ability of firefighters to navigate, locate victims, and assess the situation effectively.

While firefighter fatigue, heat, and water spray can certainly impact the effectiveness and safety of firefighting operations, they do not directly cause the same level of visual obstructions as smoke does. Fatigue can impair judgment and reaction times, heat can create a hazardous environment, and water spray can obstruct visibility to some extent, but smoke is the primary and most significant factor in drastically limiting visibility during such operations.