The First Battle of the Burning Plains was fought during the Dragon War, between the Dragon Riders and the Forsworn. The flame the dragons used to attack their foes permanently scarred the landscape. These flames also lit the vast deposits of peat in the area, and the fire apparently "burrowed" underground. Consequently there are frequent bursts of flame coming out of the ground. This battle may have been featured in the Eragon movie, because the battle shown is fought completely by dragons.