A backfire is a fire that burns into the prevailing wind, it is typically slow moving with shorter flame heights and lower fire intensity. Headfires are fires that burn with the prevailing wind; they are the fastest moving fire type, with the longest flames and greatest intensity. Flank fires are fires that burn or spread parallel to the prevailing wind direction; their behavior is between that of a backfire and headfire.
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What is the difference between a backfire, headfire, and flank fire?
Last Updated: April 30, 2010
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