In which situation would a No Fire Area (NFA) apply?

A No Fire Area (NFA) is a designated space within which artillery and certain types of fire support are prohibited to prevent unintended casualties or damage, often due to the presence of civilians or critical infrastructure. This concept is particularly important in operations requiring careful coordination to avoid overlaps in fire support that could jeopardize mission success or cause collateral damage.

When operations require special coordination, it indicates that the area may involve sensitive assets or be in proximity to populated areas where even controlled fire could have unintended consequences. Establishing a No Fire Area in these contexts ensures that all involved units are aware of the restrictions, enabling them to maneuver safely and effectively without risking harm to civilians or other non-combatants.

Routine fire requests, safety during evacuations, or artillery strikes do not inherently necessitate a No Fire Area. Routine requests are typically managed through established fire planning and clearance processes, while evacuations are operational considerations that might alter the use of fire support but do not specifically define a No Fire Area. Moreover, imposing a NFA for all upcoming artillery strikes would be excessive and impractical, as it could hinder operational effectiveness and flexibility in fire support operations.