A solution for the complete problem of attenuation of fire radiation by water mist is presented. This solution is based on simplified approaches for the spectral radiative properties of water droplets, the radiative transfer in the absorbing and scattering mist, and transient heat transfer taking into account partial evaporation of water mist. A computational study of the conventional model problem indicates the role of the main parameters and enables one to formulate some recommendations to optimize possible engineering solutions. The method developed is also applied to more realistic case study of a real fire. It is suggested to decrease the size of supplied water droplets with the distance from the irradiated surface of the mist layer. The advantage of this engineering solution is confirmed by numerical calculations. Potential possibility of microwave monitoring of water mist parameters is analyzed on the basis of Mie theory calculations. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.