The wildland fire term "heel" refers to which part of the fire?

The term "heel" in the context of wildland fires refers to the part of the fire that is opposite from the head. This is important to understand because when managing wildland fires, firefighters strategize around the movements and characteristics of different fire parts, namely the head, flanks, and heel. The head is where the fire is most active and usually spreading the fastest, while the heel is the more stable part of the fire that is less aggressive.

Understanding the terminology helps in planning firefighting tactics and effectively deploying resources. Knowing that the heel is located opposite the head allows firefighters to anticipate the behavior of the fire and create safe approaches for containment or control. The heel may not pose immediate threats compared to the head, but it still requires attention to prevent it from becoming more hazardous as conditions change.