Million-acre Smokehouse Creek Fire now is 87% contained

The Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas Panhandle has burned more than 1 million acres since Feb. 26 to become the largest wildfire in Texas history. As of early Saturday, the fire was 87% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

But what exactly does it mean to contain a wildfire and how is it different than a wildfire being controlled?

According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, an interagency network specializing in wildfire management, fire crews use the word “contained” when a line has been physically constructed around a fire and any associated spot fires. The level of containment can indicate how much of the wildfire can be expected to stop from spreading.

But a fire that is 100% contained doesn’t mean the fire is out.

“Containment, expressed as a percentage, is a measure of line that has been physically constructed around the fire as well as the confidence that the line will hold, and fire will not cross that section when tested by elevated fire weather conditions,” said Erin O’Connor, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Control of a wildfire refers to the completion of a line around a fire, any spot fires and any interior islands that need to be saved, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. When a fire, or any spot fire, has its burning potential reduced to the point that it no longer threatens further spread or resource damage under foreseeable conditions, it is considered contained.

“Essentially, all fire line construction has been finished, widened, improved and

cleaned,” O’Connor said. “Hot spots and any potential threats to the line have been mitigated, mop-up operations are complete and containment lines are expected to hold.”

Even though the fire has

spread over a million acres, it’s not burning all at once. Wildfire crews assess the actual size of the fire using a variety of techniques, including firefighters walking the perimeter of the line and flying over it with aircraft. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group has a glossary of wildfire terms crews use that the public may not be aware of. Here are a few terms associated with fighting wildfires.

Control line: A term for all constructed or natural barriers and treated fire edges used to control a fire.

Backfiring: A tactic used as an indirect way to attack a fire; intentionally setting fire to fuels inside the control line to slow, knock down or contain a rapidly spreading fire.

Burn out: Setting a fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line.

Firebreak: A natural or constructed barrier used to stop or check fires that may occur, or to provide a control line from which to attack the fire.

Fuel: Any combustible material, especially petroleum-based products.

Scott Olson/Getty Images Aurora Champion and her parents help a friend whose home was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Stinnett.