Lyla Lindsey
Australia has been battling wildfires for years, and one of the methods used to control them is back burning, also known as backburning. It is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire by lighting a new, independent fire ahead of a wildfire front to remove all the fuels from a designated control line back to the wildfire front. While back burning is a risky and difficult strategy, it is not illegal in Australia. However, it is a major strategic decision that must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To control the spread of an uncontrolled fire |
| Type | Planned burning operation; indirect form of fire control |
| Decision-maker | Incident Controller at a wildfire |
| Conditions | Requires extensive consideration and skilled fire crews |
| Fire type | A new, independent fire ahead of a wildfire front |
| Fire direction | Back into the wind |
| Fire intensity | Increased when a backburn and a fire front meet |
| Legality | Not illegal; supported by the Australian Greens if carried out under expert guidance |
| Other methods | Hazard reduction by removing trees and vegetation; creating fuel breaks |
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What You'll Learn
- Back burning is a planned burning operation to control an uncontrolled fire
- It is not considered a hazard reduction activity
- It is sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire
- It is a risky strategy and difficult to implement
- Burning-off is deliberately lighting a fire without careful documentation
Back burning is a planned burning operation to control an uncontrolled fire
Back burning, also known as backfiring or blacklining, is a strategic firefighting technique where fire crews use fire to fight fire. It is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire. It is an indirect form of fire control that requires extensive consideration and skilled fire crews. Back burning is a major strategic decision that can only be made by an Incident Controller at a wildfire.
Back burning involves lighting a new, independent fire ahead of a wildfire front to remove all the fuel from a designated control line back to the wildfire front. This process creates a slow-moving and more controllable fire. It is typically done at night when temperatures are at their lowest, winds decrease, and humidity rises. Factors such as weather conditions, topography, and the type of vegetation in the area must be considered before implementing a back burn.
The aim of a back burn is to consume all the fuels within fire control lines under mild and controlled conditions to prevent spotting or intense fire runs from breaching the control lines. When a back burn and a fire front meet, the local fire intensity is likely to increase. Therefore, it is a very risky and difficult strategy to implement and must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a wildfire.
Back burning is just one part of a broader strategy needed to combat extreme fires. It is a regulated practice carried out by state agencies such as the relevant fire service, park authority, or environment body. In areas of special environmental value or near heritage sites, national-level permission is required.
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It is not considered a hazard reduction activity
Back burning, also known as backburning, is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire. It is a major strategic decision that can only be made by an Incident Controller at a wildfire. It is a risky and difficult strategy to implement and must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire.
While it is not illegal, back burning is not considered a hazard reduction activity. This is because it is only done while fires are burning. A separate fire is lit "back against the wind" to suppress the fuel load in the direction a bushfire is travelling. However, these fires can also get out of control when conditions are severe.
Other hazard reduction activities include prescribed burning, where authorities identify at-risk areas near developments or where large fires ignite, and "reduce the load" with controlled burning. Another method is creating fuel breaks or fire breaks, where trees are cleared to prevent the spread of fire and protect developments, infrastructure, and power lines.
In Australia, burning to prevent fires is regulated and carried out by state agencies, and national-level permission is required for areas of special environmental value or near heritage sites.
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It is sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire
Back burning, also known as backburning, is a strategic decision that can only be made by an Incident Controller at a wildfire. It involves lighting a new, independent fire ahead of a wildfire front to remove fuels from a designated control line back to the wildfire front. This is done to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire and is a form of prescribed burning.
Prescribed burning is a carefully planned and documented fire management strategy, carried out under specific conditions based on fire science. It is an effective method of reducing fuel loads across large areas and is part of a broader strategy to combat bushfires.
In Australia, back burning must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire. This is because it is a risky and challenging strategy to implement. It requires careful consideration, planning, and resourcing to ensure the safety of firefighters.
The decision to undertake back burning is made under specific conditions, typically when a wildfire cannot be controlled by direct attack. It is a complex operation in a dynamic environment and is not undertaken lightly.
The Incident Controller of a Wildfire has the authority and responsibility to approve back burning operations, taking into account various factors such as weather conditions, fuel loads, and the potential impact on the environment and nearby communities. This decision-making process ensures that back burning is used as an effective tool to control wildfires while minimizing risks and potential negative consequences.
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It is a risky strategy and difficult to implement
Back burning, or backburning, is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire. It is a risky strategy and a difficult one to implement. Back burning is a major strategic decision that can only be made by an Incident Controller at a wildfire. It involves lighting a new, independent fire ahead of a wildfire front to remove all the fuels from a designated control line back to the wildfire front. This means that back burning is done while fires are burning and is not considered a hazard reduction activity.
Maintaining control of a back burn is very difficult and risky, and it must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a Wildfire. It is typically carried out by skilled fire crews and after extensive consideration. Even then, there is a risk that these fires can get out of control when conditions are severe.
Back burning involves burning into the wind, and when a back burn and a fire front meet, the local fire intensity is likely to increase. The recent fires in Australia have also spread across the crown or top part of the forest, so removing growth at ground level does not make much difference. The fires have also been hot and intense enough to burn through areas that were already burned, with embers igniting areas far away from an active fire.
While controlled burning does have its place, it is just one part of a broader strategy needed to combat the more extreme fires Australia now faces.
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Burning-off is deliberately lighting a fire without careful documentation
In Australia, burning-off is the act of deliberately lighting a fire without careful documentation or prescription settings. It is usually implemented based on past experience. While burning-off is not the same as back burning, which is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire, both are strategies employed to manage fires.
Burning-off is a tactic that involves deliberate lighting within the limits of an existing fire area. It is a decision that can be made by operational leaders on the fireline or by the Incident Controller. The aim is to consume all the fuels within fire control lines under mild and controlled conditions to prevent spotting or intense fire runs from breaching the control lines.
Burning-off is a risky and challenging strategy that must be sanctioned by the Incident Controller of a wildfire. It requires careful consideration and skilled fire crews. Burning-off is typically carried out within the context of broader strategies to combat extreme fires.
In Western Australia, planned burning is conducted by several organisations, including the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA). Landholders and occupiers are responsible for managing fuel loads and reducing the risk of bushfires on their properties. They must adhere to regulations and requirements set by local governments.
In Victoria, burning off on private land during the seasonal Prohibited Period requires an Authority to Burn (permit). On Total Fire Ban days, burning off is banned anywhere, and any Authority to Burn is automatically suspended. Outside the seasonal Prohibited Period, there are no conditions imposed on burning off on private land, but individuals are responsible for the safety and liability of their fires.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Back burning is a planned burning operation used to control the spread of an uncontrolled fire. It is a form of prescribed burning, but prescribed burning is a broader term that includes other methods of fire management.
Back burning is not illegal in Australia. It is a major strategic decision that can only be made by an Incident Controller at a wildfire.
"Burning off" is a deliberately lit fire without careful documentation or prescription settings, usually implemented based on past experience.
Back burning can be risky and difficult to control, especially under severe conditions. It can also increase local fire intensity when the back burn meets the fire front.
Back burning is a form of prescribed burning, which has been argued to save lives, property, and biodiversity. It helps to control the spread of wildfires by removing fuels from a designated control line.
