Gaps or cleared strips of land created to prevent or slow the spread of wildfire by removing fuel and creating barriers.
Compound of 'fire' and 'breaks' (gaps or interruptions). Became standardized forestry terminology in the early 20th century.
Firebreaks save forests by exploiting a simple principle—fire needs fuel, and if you remove all trees and vegetation in a wide strip, the fire can't jump across it, making them one of the most cost-effective wildfire prevention tools available.
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