Backdraft caught on tape (Chicago Fire Department)

It's important to recognize backdraft conditions during your initial size up. You can see the house "breathing" in the beginning of this video. Other characteristics of backdraft are yellow or brown smoke because of incomplete combustion, cracked windows due to the intense heat, and possible window vibration due to different pressure differentials. The way to diffuse a potential backdraft is to ventilate at the highest point,allowing heat and smoke to escape without igniting explosively.