What is the term for an area of unburned land surrounded by burned land?

The term that describes an area of unburned land surrounded by burned land is "island." This term is used to define patches of vegetation or land that remain unaffected by fire while being surrounded by areas that have burned completely.

The concept of an island in fire behavior is significant because these patches can serve as refuges for wildlife or as valuable resources for recovery and regeneration, providing seeds and nutrient-rich soil for future plant growth. Additionally, understanding how to identify and manage these islands can be crucial for firefighting strategies and ecological recovery post-fire.

The other terms like "heel," "pocket," and "finger" pertain to different concepts within fire behavior and land formations and do not accurately describe an area of unburned land surrounded by burned land. The use of "island" specifically communicates the isolation of these areas in relation to the surrounding burned landscape.