backburn
Firefighter's controlled blaze
A backburn is a controlled fire deliberately set ahead of an advancing wildfire to eliminate fuel in its path.
Firefighters burn toward the main fire, creating a buffer zone of already-burned ground that the wildfire cannot cross.
The technique is risky—if wind shifts, the backburn itself can spread.
Also called a backfire.
Crews set backburns along the ridge to protect the town below.
Uncontrolled vegetation blaze
- conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
- blazeIntense burning fire
- flamesVisible burning combustion
- emberGlowing coal fragment
smoke · ash · scorched · smolder · firestorm · spread · intensity · heat
Starting combustion process
- firelineCleared strip blocking flames
- prescribedOfficially recommended or mandated
- controlledKept within limits
- flankingAt the sides of
anchor · indirect · firing · operations · burnoff · timing · spacing · lighting
Shape's outer edge length
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- isolationComplete separation from others
boundary · demarcation · cordon · fireline · defensible · space · protection · zone
Dense low forest vegetation
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- fuelsEnergy sources for engines
- flammableProne to ignition
- clearingTreeless space in forest
thinning · reduction · debris · litter · deadfall · brush · chaparral · grassland
Emergency blaze responder
- hotshotShowy, skilled person
- smokejumperAirborne wildfire fighter
- rangerProtected land patroller
- firewardenForest blaze prevention officer
wildfire
Uncontrolled vegetation blaze
- conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
- blazeIntense burning fire
- flamesVisible burning combustion
ember · smoke · ash · scorched · smolder · firestorm · spread · intensity · heat
ignition
Starting combustion process
- firelineCleared strip blocking flames
- prescribedOfficially recommended or mandated
- controlledKept within limits
flanking · anchor · indirect · firing · operations · burnoff · timing · spacing · lighting · crew
perimeter
Shape's outer edge length
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
isolation · boundary · demarcation · cordon · fireline · defensible · space · protection · zone · limit
underbrush
Dense low forest vegetation
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- fuelsEnergy sources for engines
- flammableProne to ignition
clearing · thinning · reduction · debris · litter · deadfall · brush · chaparral · grassland · combustible
firefighter
Emergency blaze responder
- hotshotShowy, skilled person
- smokejumperAirborne wildfire fighter
- rangerProtected land patroller
firewarden · crew · spotter · sawyer · lookout · superintendent · squad
- prescribed burnsprescribed fire, fuel reduction, test fire, ring fire
- fire statesablaze, afire, aflame, alight, blazing
backburnwildfire
Uncontrolled vegetation blaze
bushfire · forest fire · firestorm · conflagration · inferno
backburning, backburner, backburners, backburnering, backburnered, backburns