There are several synonyms that can be used in place of the phrase "bank the fire." Some of these synonyms include "smother the fire," "extinguish the flames," "quench the fire," or "douse the flames." Additionally, one could use the phrase "cool the embers," "suppress the fire," "put out the fire," or "stifle the flames." No matter which synonym is used, the common theme is to reduce or eliminate the fire's intensity by reducing the supply of oxygen to the flames. Whatever the reason for wanting to "bank the fire," one can use any of these synonyms to communicate the same action with a slight variation in vocabulary.