What characteristic would NOT typically be present in the incipient stage of a fire?

In the incipient stage of a fire, the characteristic that would typically be present is little smoke. During this initial phase, the fire has just started, and while it may produce some heat and small amounts of smoke, it has not yet developed to the point where it engulfs a large area or produces significant smoke.

Good visibility is often maintained in this stage, as the fire has not intensified and the environment has not become filled with smoke. Additionally, the air remains relatively breathable, allowing individuals in the vicinity to navigate safely. High density of smoke, on the other hand, is associated with more advanced stages of a fire, where combustion has intensified and more materials are being consumed, leading to significant smoke production that can severely reduce visibility and pose serious risks to health. Therefore, noting that high density of smoke is not characteristic of the incipient stage helps to contrast it against the other conditions that would be observed at that initial stage of a fire.