What is the immediate concern when dealing with combustible liquid spills?

The immediate concern when dealing with combustible liquid spills is preventing ignition. Combustible liquids can readily ignite and pose a significant fire hazard. Once a combustible liquid spills, the primary risk is that it can create flammable vapors that, if ignited, can lead to fires or explosions. Therefore, controlling the ignition sources around the spill site is critical to safeguarding personnel, the environment, and property.

Focusing on containment, assessing exposure levels, and evacuating personnel are important actions to undertake during a hazardous materials incident, but they become secondary to the urgent need to prevent any potential ignition sources from interacting with the combustible liquid. If ignition occurs, the situation can escalate rapidly, making it essential to prioritize ignition prevention as the foremost concern in the response to a combustible liquid spill.