When should I use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire?

A fire extinguisher should only be used for smaller-scale fires that can be contained. If there is a great threat of the fire quickly spreading out of control, it is safest to evacuate immediately. If the fire cannot be extinguished by the fire extinguisher and grows or becomes uncontrollable, this is where it starts to get dangerous. The area should be evacuated immediately and the fire service should be called.