ClimateAugust 15, 2026

firebreaks

FY-er-brayks

Definition

A gap in vegetation or other combustible material designed to stop or slow the spread of a wildfire.

Etymology

The word is a compound of 'fire' and 'break,' the latter originating from Old English 'brecan,' meaning to shatter or interrupt, referring to an object that breaks the continuity of the flames.

In the news

The Mayor mentions firebreaks as a specific infrastructure measure to prevent fires from spreading rapidly across open ground and fields in the region.

Climate change, complacency and idiotic acts fuel devastating fires across West Midlands - Mayor

Read the full article ↗

Birmingham Live

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