A firebreak is a usually-man-made gap in vegetation that is expected to slow or stop the progress of wildfires. A firebreak may be a road--from a jeep trail to a freeway--or a path of removed vegetation along a ridge that is intended for no other purpose. Forested areas are often riddled with networks of firebreaks. For firebreaks to be effective they have to be backed up with other firefighting efforts. Even then it is sometimes not enough. During the worst of the fire season in southern California, Santa Ana winds will blow carpets of burning embers across eight-lane freeways without a pause.