Which type of fire is NOT typically employed by mortars?

The choice regarding marketing fires is not typically associated with mortar operations in military contexts. Mortars are primarily employed for close support, counterfires, and interdiction fires, which all serve specific tactical purposes in combat scenarios.

Close support fires focus on providing immediate assistance to infantry units by targeting enemy forces that threaten them directly. Counterfires aim to suppress or destroy enemy artillery and mortars, while interdiction fires are used to disrupt enemy movement or logistics before they engage with friendly forces.

In contrast, marketing fires do not pertain to military tactics or operations; instead, they refer to strategies used in commercial activities to promote products or services. Therefore, "marketing fires" is appropriate to exclude as mortars do not engage in this type of action, aligning perfectly with the understanding of mortar employment in military operations.