Which term best describes the actions taken to control and extinguish fires?

The term that best describes the actions taken to control and extinguish fires is "fire suppression." This involves the immediate and direct efforts of firefighters to combat and extinguish a fire, utilizing various techniques and equipment such as hoses, extinguishers, and foam. Fire suppression is critical in stopping fires from spreading and minimizing damage to property and loss of life.

Fire investigation refers to the process of determining the causes and origins of a fire after it has been extinguished. It is focused on understanding what started the fire rather than the active process of putting it out. Fire prevention involves measures and activities aimed at reducing the likelihood of a fire occurring in the first place, including safety education and code enforcement. Fire analysis is more about examining data and trends related to fire incidents, which aids in planning and resource allocation but does not involve the direct actions taken during a fire event. Each of these terms relates to aspects of fire safety and management but does not specifically denote the immediate actions involved in extinguishing fires as "fire suppression" does.