Backing fire

This is a technique where fire backs into the wind from an established control line.

• Purpose
  • Used alone for understory burning and heavy fuels
  • Often used in conjunction with other firing techniques to establish control lines and protect sensitive areas
• Advantages
  • Low intensity
  • Low scorch heights
  • Low spotting potential
  • Increased heat exposure and fuel consumption
• Disadvantages
  • Not readily flexible to wind changes
  • Does not burn well at higher fuel moistures
  • Can produce a high severity burn relative to soil heating in dry conditions
  • Time consuming