What type of fire line is typically used to stop the spread of wildfires?

The type of fire line that is typically used to stop the spread of wildfires is a control line. Control lines are established to create a barrier that can contain an ongoing wildfire and are ideally devoid of flammable material. This type of line is crucial in managing fires as it helps firefighters effectively contain the fire within a designated area, preventing it from spreading to unburned sections.

Control lines can include natural barriers such as rivers and roads or man-made lines created through mechanical means, such as bulldozing vegetation. The goal is to create a defensible space where firefighters can safely engage with the fire and mitigate its impacts.

While a scratch line involves minimal clearing and is more of a preliminary measure, and a containment line is often used interchangeably with a control line, the term "control line" encompasses a broader strategy for actively managing and stopping fire spread. A buffer zone, although relevant in fire management for reducing fuel nearby, does not function as a direct fire line and therefore does not provide the same level of protection as a control line.