Fighting fire with a leaf blower (1 of 4)

See the more complete review here • Critical Review of the...
I apologize, I couldn’t add a voiceover. In the first set of shots we are setting what should be a head fire. The main fire is downslope making a strong run up hill. The wind at our backs is 25+ due to a funneling effect of topography. You can see the fire below in a few shots. The strong updraft is cut off by the surface winds. In the second set of shots, we are burning around a pile of slash and heavy lumber dumped by road crews. The hose could hold the line but pressure was low so we opted to include the leaf blower.
This is my first time on the blower. The first set of shots marks about ¼ mile of line put out. High winds and low RH on this burn.
I was very impressed. The blower does not cool the fuel. But on the up side, it blows to mineral soil very very fast. With a swatter on back up I think this could be a very effective tool. At about the 4:00 min mark I deliberately cut into an active fire to see if I could suppress it. It worked.

[@jbennett380]

God bless firefighters.

[@heidirausch9735]

How do the leaf blowers work against wildfires in actual forests?

[@JasmineLindros]

This is only a very small tool that works for very small fires in very small areas. A fire in heavier fuels would not notice a leaf blower, and the drastically higher heat output might melt the plastic nozzle.

[@JB91710]

Think about this. "Blowing fresh air at burning material rather than taking it away." Think of a lawn mower type handle and structure with wheels dragging a fire proof mat on the ground that was around 5' long and 3' wide. It would remove the air from the burning material and keep it away long enough for it to cool and Not reignite. Then a person follows with a water tank and sprays a mist of water on the embers rather than having to use much more water per square foot.

[@charadremur333]

Genius.

[@JasmineLindros]

LOL! How does your device fit under fencelines, JB? Around posts? Over rocks? Your ideas would be a lot less funny if you had any experience.

[@heidirausch9735]

Mobile wind turbines for the really big wildfires?

[@JB91710]

@@JasmineLindros When you have a grass fire in a massive area like a field like you see here, what percentage of it has obstacles? Couldn't it work in the open areas? At least I think Jasmine. It appears you don't Think at all. You just make fun of those who do. Let's hear your clever suggestions.

[@JasmineLindros]

@@JB91710 My clever suggestion is for you to get some experience, JB. Whining from your desk is not the same as training. "Dragging a fire proof mat on the ground" means your "structure with wheels" is being pulled or pushed through burning vegetation. How does the mat smother burning vegetation when that mat is six inches to a foot off the ground, held up by the vegetation? What's your expected lifespan for that wheeled structure being pulled or pushed through burning vegetation? What's your expected lifespan for the firefighter walking through that same burning vegetation, pushing or pulling your "structure with wheels"? I see you failed to answer my earlier questions. If you could think, JB, you would have thought of those questions yourself.

[@Nderak]

was curious if this would work

[@alexandersalarms5380]

howed the fire start?

[@CanidaeCanislupus]

Started by the Firebrigade to make a Fireline.

[@heidirausch9735]

Can you blow wild fires into bodies of water?

[@audrisamuel9428]

smart

[@heidirausch9735]

What happens if there's leaf blowers on all sides? Do they blow the flames together, extinguishing them due to lack of ground fuel?

[@kingsleyzachary4915]

Echo

[@dannycowan2347]

Not exactly fighting it with a leaf blower .... he is directing it with the blower by pushing the edges

[@alexandersalarms5380]

*click* noice

[@CalebKepleyMusic]

MAGA

[@chrissi.enbyYT]

?!?