The latest in the Kelling Heath caches. This one is an educational one (if you stop longer than scribbling on the log). It's all about firebreaks and why there are big tracts of woodland cut down.
These are designed to reduce or delay the spread of fires and to accommodate the movement and access of personnel and equipment. A minimum width of 10m is recommended. Breaks can occur as a natural contour line, a woodland ride, or be created through the process of woodland management. Fire breaks should never be regarded as fireproof, but only as obstacles to the rapid spread of a fire.
Fire belts are strips of woodland with more fire resisting species growing, which help to maintain a clean forest floor and delay spread of fire, eg larch or broadleaf species.
Location of breaks and belts should be based on the probability of fires starting or spreading from known danger points.