Two types of burns are used in a prescribed fire-backfire and headfire. Fire crews ignite a backfire downwind along the fire break and let the fire slowly burn toward the center of the site. Eventually the backfire meets the headfire. Headfires are set so that the wind fuels the fire and carries it toward the backfire. Most fire crew members work to contain the fire to the sides of the site-an area termed the hand line.
Crews use rakes, flappers and backpack pumps filled with water to maintain the hand line.
Other crew members located along the fire break and perimeter extinguish runaway flames. A nearby fire engine can be mobilized if the prescribed burn escalates into a wildfire or if the climate is dry and threatens to reignite the blaze. Permits In Illinois , all controlled burn managers are required to receive a permit from the Illinois EPA's Division of Air Pollution Control . The Illinois EPA is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois with regional and field offices throughout the State. For the most part, they were successful, however, there were some areas that were not burned completely due to tall woody weeds and plants that were not reached by the fire.