backfire ((n.))†

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a fire deliberately set in an attempt to prevent the spread of a prairie or forest fire by burning off the area in front of it.

Quotations

1905

Suddenly the fire appeared . . . rushing down with hurricane force, and jumping the back-fire Mr. Conradi had made. . . .

1959

. . . while setting a backfire against a prairie fire . . . he . . . thought, "I'd sure love to own a farm right here."