Backburning

Backburning is a controlled firefighting technique used to manage and reduce the intensity of larger wildfires. Firefighters intentionally set small, manageable fires along the fire’s edge, usually against the main fire’s progression, consuming available fuel. As the main fire approaches, these controlled burns create a burn zone with no fuel left, acting as a barrier. When the main fire reaches this area, it encounters less or no fuel, causing it to slow down or stop. Backburning helps protect communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure by safely controlling fire spread and reducing the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.