help a city girl burn brush!

[houston burt]

i am a fire fighter in north ga and we responed with georgia forestry commission we try to educate people on safe burning and gfc has alot of information avalible for the public also the national forest service we try to tell people not to use petrolium products because of the epa and epd guide lines that we use but if u do use petrolium deisal is the best because of its high flash and vapor temp vrs gasoline or kerosen you can also use used cooking oil to help it burn instead used motor oil

 

[AGGIE00]

Used motor oil is the best in my experience because it does not combust like gasoline, is free, and burns slower to keep the fire going. I add a propane torch to that, but you probably don't want to suggest this for safety.

 

[TripleR]

You guys are amazing! I had no idea there were even other ways to burn other than gasoline! I kid you not we see probably 1-2 a month 65+ years old throwing gas on fires. Unfortunately, they can't move as fast as they used to and Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular disease cause them to have decrease sensation and they do not realize they are on fire until it is REALLY bad.
I like the idea of talking to a park ranger or something and seeing what they have to say. I live in Missouri, we have TONS of parks surely someone has some information.
I can't believe the overwhelming response...it shows me people really care about this!
Thanks for your effort in saving lives!

That happened to my wife's grandfather and he lost a leg. He never fully recovered though he lived a few years longer in a nursing home.

If I can't get a good fire going with fire place starter bricks, I don't fool with it. I taught my sons to make fires without any accelerant and still do it this way from time to time. I am not knocking those who use acceptable accelerants, I just prefer not to.

 

[kebo]

Flares can be used to start a fire too. Pile up some dry kindling (leaves/small dry twigs/dry straw or hay/etc in the middle of the brushpile. Stand back and light the flare, and then toss it into the pile of kindling. That should get it going.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have worked as a Firefighter for 28 years, a few points.

1 Gasoline is made to be a motor fuel only ANY other use is extremely dangerous.

I have and use Coleman Unleaded Fuel Camp Lanterns and Camp Stoves...

Also, my retired neighbor that spent is working life in the sheet metal trade still uses gasoline blow torches to heat is solder irons

 

[ultrarunner]

Flares can be used to start a fire too. Pile up some dry kindling (leaves/small dry twigs/dry straw or hay/etc in the middle of the brushpile. Stand back and light the flare, and then toss it into the pile of kindling. That should get it going.

The lumber harvesters I've seen use flares to start the burn piles and portable blowers.

 

[20 20]

The problem today is that common sense has been thrown out the window. A fire is no more dangerous then getting into a vehicle. The outcome of injury or worse depends on many factors, but the 1st and most important is the responsibility of the individual. A fire needs to be treated with respect and caution, also something that seems to be fading away. I burn allmost every weekend and have never had any problems. I'm not talking about tiny fires either I use an excavator to load the logs into place. I have also found that a small piece of felt paper{roofing paper} is a great starter and very cheap. I agree used oil is a good starter, if allowed{???}. One problem I've noticed with the fast life we live today is that folks have lost old values and teachings. We now have a huge number of weekend warriors getting hurt simply because they don't have a clue and feel they're smarter then any ole timmer ever was.

1 Gasoline is made to be a motor fuel only ANY other use is extremely dangerous.

Not true there are other uses for gasoline.

 

[Chilly807]

Diesel is about the safest "accelerant" type fuel to use for starting, unless you have extremely hot air. The flash point is lower than gasoline or kerosene, but if the air is hot enough, it still gives off vapour that will explode.

I think one of the worst habits using gasoline is when the fire doesn't really catch the first time around. The initial hot quick fire burns out, and you have a smouldering situation. The first thing people think of is to add some more gas, thinking they'll re-light the fire after they add the gas. What often happens is the gas they're adding catches fire, or the vapour explodes while the fuel can is still open (and they're still holding it).

Sean

 

[leonz]

I know this is going to sound crazy, but I need everyones help!
I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the Burn ICU. Over the past four years our number of burns that have been throwing gas on brush piles is astounding. Unforunately the majority of these burns spend 3-4 months in our ICU (and leave with a bill of over $1 million dollars IF they survive and I place a HUGE emphasis on IF...because they typically do not!)

We are initiating a campaign to educate especially farmers on safe burning practices. Here is the problem: I am a city girl! I have never burned a brush pile in my life! We know this is something that has to be done we just want it to be done safely. So here are a few questions:

1. How do you safely burn a brush pile?
2. Do any communites have alternatives to disposing of brush piles besides burning?
3. I just read about people using leaf blowers? Some how this does not seem like a safe practice!
4. Are there tools made to safely burn a bursh pile? i.e. long non-flammable sticks to lite a fire?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. This is a HUGE problem and you would be assisting me in saving many lives each year!

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The only logical solution for the mad brush burners is the "DRIP TORCH" and it has been used for years by the United Sates Forest Service with great success and control for back fires.

The drip torch uses diesel fuel or K-1 kerosene, the drip torch has a flame stop loop which prevents fire from entering the drip torch when in use as it uses a fibreglass wick.


A drip torch is very safe way to light a brush pile as the amount of fuel available is limited by the wick and the flame proof loop which prevents fire getting into the reservoir of the drip torch making it very safe to use.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I use a weedburner torch. Its a big propane torch and has about an 18 inch long flame. If its reasonably dry a couple minutes at the base will get it going good. You can then move and light it in other places if you want.
larry