A fire trail is a rural road built specifically for the purpose of access for "fire management purposes". The term is part of the vocabulary of Australian bushfire control and may be also known as a fireroad in US terminology. A fire trail may act as part of a control line or fire break

Firebreak

A firebreak is a gap in vegetation or other combustible material that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a bushfire or wildfire. A firebreak may occur naturally where there is a lack of vegetation or "fuel", such as a river, lake or canyon...

but a fire trail in itself does not constitute a fire break.

Due to fire trails providing access to otherwise remote areas, possible adverse effects include: illegal activities, erosion, noise pollution, weed invasion, and possibly stuck vehicles.

Since fire trails are unpaved roads, contour banks are essential to control erosion and track degradation.

External links

• "Access" NSW Rural Fire Service, Building in Bushfire Prone Areas