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

The term for an area of unburned land that is surrounded by burned land is referred to as an island. This terminology is commonly used in fire management and ecology to describe a patch of land that has not been affected by fire despite being encircled by areas that have burned.

The reason the term "island" is used in this context is that it visually resembles an island surrounded by water, where the unburned land is 'isolated' from its burned surroundings. Recognizing these islands is crucial for firefighters and ecologists alike, as they can serve as potential refuges for wildlife and can also provide strategic advantages in firefighting operations.

The other terms presented do not accurately describe this phenomenon as "island" does. For instance, "pocket" could imply a small collection or area of something but does not specifically convey the surrounded nature of the unburned land. Meanwhile, "palm" and "heel" are not terms typically associated with fire behavior or land characteristics in this context, making them unsuitable for describing unburned areas surrounded by fire.