help a city girl burn brush!

[Bigasspilot]

I have to share a technique I saw that is much safer for initiating a brush fire. Construction adhesive in a chalking gun. Spread a bead on items in the pile at multiple locations. Then use a propane torch to ignite the adhesive. It does not flash and burns slowly to make sure the fire actually does not go out. Try it you will be impressed how safer it is to use than any liquid accelerant.

 

[crazyal]

Don't know about other states but I do believe it's illegal here to use gas to start a fire. It's both dangerous and toxic. If I was trying to educate people I don't think I would be teaching them that diesel (or another flammable product) works better than gas. I think I would just focus on the fact that gas is extremely dangerous and point to statistics on how many people get hurt. The last thing you want is for someone to switch to something other than gas, get hurt (or worse) and then say "you told me it was OK to use xxxxx".

Most of the landfills around here take brush and unpainted wood for free. Chipping is another option.

 

[Scooby074]

Gas mixed with diesel or motor oil here. Usually about 60:40

If im planning ahead ill usually have a couple tires on the bottom :laughing::laughing:

once the fire starts, a few antifreeze jugs full of used oil find their way onto the pile as well. Good way to get rid of several gallons of used oil.

If i ever have to add straight gas (sometimes you do) i partially fill an antifreeze container and throw it on with the top off then step back quickly. With a bit of practice you can have it land so the gas will flow to the bottom of the pile. This prevents you from having to hold a large quantity of flammable material (gas) near a source of ignition.

 

[RobertN]

I'll chime in; firefighter/EMT, and landowner.

- Start with your local Fire Department. They will have specific information for your area. Most departments have a prevention officer, and will have some programs in place.
- Check your state fire agency; in my case it is Cal-Fire. They have lots of info about burn piles. They also have info about fire safety zones around your house.
- Look for a local firesafe program. Our county has one. They will come out and chip for free, so you dont have to burn
- Using old oil, tires ect is against the law in most locations... That is a good way to get a fine.
- Here, we have to have a burn permit(free, and good for three years). When you get that permit from the local FD, they give out a flyer with info about safe burning. You also have to call the "Burn" number to see if it is a permissible burn day.

CAL FIRE Home

http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/DebrisBurning.pdf

El Dorado Fire Safe Council

 

[VA MTN MAN]

I never use gas but I light a flare like you use at a car wreck and put it under the pile then I take a gallon hand sprayer filled with diesel and can spread the fire where i like. The diesel lights at the fire and does not travel back up the stream.(at least it never has). Always use a flare as it is hot enough to light the diesel instantly where if you put diesel on a smodering spot it can flash.

 

[riptides]

Gas mixed with diesel or motor oil here. Usually about 60:40

If im planning ahead ill usually have a couple tires on the bottom :laughing::laughing:

once the fire starts, a few antifreeze jugs full of used oil find their way onto the pile as well. Good way to get rid of several gallons of used oil.

If i ever have to add straight gas (sometimes you do) i partially fill an antifreeze container and throw it on with the top off then step back quickly. With a bit of practice you can have it land so the gas will flow to the bottom of the pile. This prevents you from having to hold a large quantity of flammable material (gas) near a source of ignition.

Too funny and scary.

I had a bud try the gasoline throw. He failed, we almost blew up, and we had to follow the trail of blaze attempting to extinguish it before a forest fire started.

He never told me it was gas. I never thought someone would try that.

When we returned to the house, we used the local Marine Corp base as an alibi. That did not work either, maybe it was my red face and his singed clothing?

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Not to be cruel or anything but if the OP posted some of the pictures of the burn victims and their stories a few less people would be using the gasoline as a starting fluid I would think. I can't say I have never used Gas to help a fire. I don't do it anymore myself. Kerosene would be my choice I guess if I couldn't get it started otherwise.

 

[tlbuser]

99% of the time I use old feed sacks to start the fire.

Similar, a feed sack filled with sawdust works nicely. To get it hotter quick, add a qt. of diesel inside the bag.

 

[YesDeere]

When I was younger I would use gas and make a nice long trail to light it. Now I'm a diesel man. My rule was always a trail and get the can far away. Never got hurt. Sure was fun. And stupid.

 

[Deere Dude]

I guess we learn from our mistakes, sometimes. I had to drain about 10 gallons of old gas out of a boat and just dumped it on the driveway to let it evaporate. After a few minutes I decided to light it to help it along a bit and I saw a big ball of fire head downhill into a 100 acre woods for about 50 feet or so. Luckily the leaves and brush was wet because it flamed out almost as fast as it started. That was my lesson for the day.
Now whenever I start a fire and even in the fireplace I put the gas away an I use construction wood chips soaked in diesel. Throw a little newspaper and small handful of chips on a brush-pile, if it is dry it will start quickly and no flame back at all, and it's cheap. Never gas even if it is mixed with oil. It will still vaporize very quickly.