In fire suppression, what is the role of master streams?

Master streams are specifically designed for firefighting operations involving large volumes of water, making them essential for controlling significant fires. These streams are typically deployed from aerial devices or large ground-mounted monitors and are capable of discharging hundreds to thousands of gallons of water per minute. Their primary role is to deliver a powerful and concentrated attack on large fire incidents, effectively reducing the fire's intensity and preventing it from spreading. This capability is particularly crucial during situations where traditional hand lines may be insufficient due to the size and scale of the fire.

While master streams can have some secondary benefits, such as cooling the surrounding area to prevent further fire spread, their main function is unequivocally focused on controlling large fires, providing the necessary volume and pressure to combat extensive heat and flames effectively.