What type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for paper, wood, cloth, or trash fires?

The appropriate fire extinguisher for fires involving paper, wood, cloth, or trash is a Class A extinguisher. Class A extinguishers are specifically designed to combat ordinary combustibles, which include the materials mentioned. They typically contain water or a water-based solution that cools the burning material and extinguishes the fire effectively by removing the heat element from the fire triangle (heat, fuel, and oxygen).

Using a Class A extinguisher on these types of materials is effective because it directly addresses the nature of the fuel. In contrast, Class B extinguishers are intended for flammable liquids, such as gasoline and oil, Class C extinguishers are used for electrical fires, and Class D extinguishers are meant for combustible metals. Each type of extinguisher is designed to combat specific types of fires and using the wrong type can be ineffective or even dangerous.