Backfires are deliberately started fires to stop or confine an oncoming fire. It needs to be positioned optimally and far enough away to create a dead zone. Special tools and protective gear are required, and only professionals should attempt it.
A backfire or backburn is a fire that is deliberately started in the path of an oncoming fire. As it burns, it consumes fuel, thus depriving the primary fire of tinder when it reaches the site. When the technique is done correctly, it stops a fire in its tracks or confines it, making it much easier to control. Many firefighters are trained in the art of calculating and putting a burn on the back when taught bushfire fighting techniques.
The technique is one of an assortment of so-called “firebreaks,” all intended to confine a large bushfire. Various styles of firebreaks are used, ranging from blowbacks to simple trenches that are intended to arrest the primary fire. When the decision to backfire is made, it is an acknowledgment that the primary fire is spiraling out of control and must be stopped before it becomes significantly larger.
Setting up this type of fire requires some consideration and calculation. It needs to be far enough away from the primary fire to create a dead zone of consumed tinder, rather than just adding to the larger fire. It also needs to be positioned optimally, which requires thinking about the movement of the fire over the course of several hours. When set up correctly, winds from the primary fire will suck the backfire inward, rather than allow it to spread outward, but firefighters also need to monitor the rear fireline to ensure it doesn’t blow.
Special tools are available to firefighters for the purpose of backfiring, such as drip torches to quickly and accurately create a line of fire. It is also important for firefighters to wear protective gear when working with a fire, including fire resistant pants and jackets, and face shields, as it can get very hot. Coordination of efforts is also important, to ensure that everyone is working with the same information.
Amateurs should not attempt to relight the fire, as it can be dangerous. It can spread in the wrong direction, creating a bigger problem, and the fire can also cause serious injury. Any fire that requires this type of firebreak is usually large enough to require fire professionals, and people should always seek help when locating fires. Even after a fire is out, firefighters should check the area to confirm that nothing is smoking under the leaves or in the thick undergrowth, waiting to spread again.
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