Firebreaks: Constructed
A bare soil fireline created by disking.
Courtesy of Bruce Palmer
Firebreaks are control lines established prior to the prescribed burn to contain the fire within the burn unit. Firebreaks may be natural or constructed. Take advantage of natural firebreaks like roads, streams, lakes, rock outcrops or green fields as much as possible to save labor constructing lines. Constructed firebreaks must be used where there are no natural barriers.
Firebreaks must be wide enough to prevent slopovers from burning into unburned fuels. Generally, the width of firebreaks should be 1 1/2 to 2 times the height of adjacent vegetation. Firebreaks that still contain fuel, such as mowed or raked firebreaks, should be even wider.
Bare soil firebreaks are an example of a constructed firebreak. They are made by dozing, plowing, disking or blowing a control line free of fuel. Bare soil lines are the safest firebreaks, provided they are wide enough. Where soil erosion is possible, cool season grasses can be seeded on bare soil to create a green line. Green line firebreaks should be mowed several times during the growing season to reduce fuel accumulation.
A green line firebreak created by sowing a cool season grass.
Courtesy of Bruce Palmer