DCHP-3

firebreak

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

any device for preventing the spread of fire.

Quotations

1841
There are two streams crossing the street between Queen Street and the lane opposite Messrs. Codner & Jennings's firebreak, over which bridges similar to the above are required to be built.
2n.

a strip of land, usually ploughed but sometimes burned free of grass, intended to stop the advance of a grass fire or a prairie fire.

See: fireguard ((n.))(def. 1)

Quotations

1889
Fires are raging around and the captain of the fire brigade had a fire break put round the village as he said prevention was worth two chemical extinguishers.
3n.

in the bush, a strip of land cleared of trees and brush and intended to stop the advance of a forest fire.

See: fireguard ((n.))(def. 2),fire-line(def. 2),guard(def. 3b),guard line

Quotations

1935
The fire started . . . and a fire break had to be cut.
1959
Smoke billowed . . . along the Gaspe, where 600 men hacked out firebreaks to control two of Quebec's worst blazes this year.