Quite often we hear on the radio or read in the paper that it took a certain amount of time to bring a fire under control.
But what does that really mean?

The definitions that are used by the CFA, at times, conflict with what the general public use to describe an incident. The following definitions are copied directly from the CFA website and more information regarding CFA definitions can be found at http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/incidents/incident.php?page=publicIncidentListBlank#definitions.

Going
Any fire expanding in a certain direction or directions. (Spreading at the perimeter of the fire.)
Contained
A fire is contained when its spread has been halted but may be still burning freely within the perimeter. Further work is required to bring the fire under control.
Controlled (or Under Control)
The time at which the complete perimeter of a fire is secured and no breakaway is expected. The fire only requires patrolling.
Safe
A fire is safe when it can be left without further patrol.