Backdraft is a 1991 American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.

Starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, Jason Gedrick, and J. T. Walsh, it follows Chicago firefighters on the trail of a serial arsonist.

Inspector Donald "Shadow" Rimgale, a dedicated arson investigator and veteran firefighter, is called in because some recent explosive fires resemble those set by pyromaniac Ronald Bartel, who has been imprisoned for years.

It is revealed during an investigation that Chicago City Council alderman Marty Swayzak has supported budget cuts to the CFD.

When Engine 17 answers a call in a high-rise, Stephen urges them to move in quickly, despite Adcox's advice to wait for backup.

Brian's friend and fellow trainee, Tim Krizminski, opens a door, triggering a backdraft.

Rimgale and Brian go to Swayzak's home to confront him after learning of his connection to the three backdraft victims (Alan Seagrave, Donald Cosgrove, and Jeffery Holcomb) and interrupt a masked man about to set the residence on fire.

When Brian realizes Adcox has heard their exchange, he jumps aboard Truck 46 after borrowing some turnout gear.

After the funeral for Stephen and Adcox, Brian and Rimgale, with the help of the police, interrupt Swayzak at a press conference.

Rimgale questions Swayzak on a fake manpower study that led to the deaths of several firemen, including Stephen and Adcox.

Firefighters are shown advancing through fully involved structure fires while not wearing the complete complement of protective gear (Nomex hoods, radios, PASS devices).

Realism in our case would make a very bad movie because the fact is that in almost every fire the smoke conditions completely obscure all vision.

[7]The movie ... came pretty close at times, but it also suffered from the very same, all too common shortcomings that any visual presentation was bound to encounter[....] Smoke, steam, and other miscellaneous factors usually combine to obscure almost everything that is taking place[.

[24][25] In March 2018, it was announced that Universal had tapped Spanish director Gonzalo López-Gallego to direct the sequel with William Baldwin reprising his role.