Backfire (or Backburn) - A fire set along the inner edge of a control line to consume the fuel in the path of a wildland fire, and/or to change the direction of force on the fire's "convection column."

Burning Out - Setting backfires on a small scale and with closer control, in order to consume patches of unburned fuel and aid in construction of control lines.

Closed Area - An area in which specific activities - or even entry - is temporarily restricted to reduce the risk of fires caused by people.

Closure - Legal restriction of specific activities such as smoking, camping, or entry into an area.

Confine a fire - To restrict a fire within determined boundaries established either prior to, or during, a fire.

Contain a fire - A fuel break around the fire has been completed. This break may include natural barriers or manually and/or mechanically constructed line.

Control a fire - The complete extinguishment of fire, including spot fires. Fireline has been strengthened so that flare-ups from within the perimeter of the fire will not break through this line.

Escaped fire - A fire that has exceeded initial attack capabilities, and is spreading.

Fire Shelter - A personal protection item carried by fire fighters which, when deployed, unfolds to form a tent-like shelter of heat reflective materials.

Initial Attack - The actions taken by the first resources to arrive at a wildfire to protect lives and property, and prevent further extension of the fire.

Prescribed Burn - Controlled application of fire to wildland fuels, under specified environmental and weather conditions, to produce a fire that is confined to a pre-determined area. The reason for such burning is to produce the intensity of heat and rate of spread required to attain a planned resource management objective such as reducing the amount of old, dead logging slash that might fuel a major wildland fire.

Resources - All personnel and major items of equipment available, or potentially available, for assignment to a fire incident.

Spot Fire - Unwanted fire that occurs outside the perimeter of the main fire, caused by flying sparks or embers.

Wildfire - Any fire occurring on wildland, except a fire that is under prescription.

Wildland - An area in which development is essentially non-existent, except for roads, railroads, power lines, and similar transportation or utility structures.