Firefighting dangers: Backfiring

 

Backfiring the 1977 Hog Fong Fire

Using fire to fight fire has long been a technique to control a raging wildfire, and they can be successful.

However, these are also quite dangerous and can sometimes make the original fire worse. 

The main danger: an unexpected change in wind direction can trap firefighters between the fire they are battling and the one they are setting.

For more on this technique and the use of prescribed fire, check out this article.