INTERAGENCY INTERAGENCY HELITORCHHELITORCH

and and MIXING SYSTEM MIXING SYSTEM

TRAININGTRAINING

INTERAGENCY INTERAGENCY HELITORCHHELITORCH

and and MIXING SYSTEM MIXING SYSTEM

TRAININGTRAINING

Unit 1Unit 1HELITORCH HISTORY HELITORCH HISTORY

& CAPABILITIES& CAPABILITIES

ObjectivesObjectives

Become familiar with the evolution Become familiar with the evolution of the Helitorchof the Helitorch

Identify advantages & disadvantages Identify advantages & disadvantages of Helitorch Operationsof Helitorch Operations

ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES Fewer hazards than burning by handFewer hazards than burning by hand Cost effective - cover large area in short Cost effective - cover large area in short

timetime Control fire by developing quick Control fire by developing quick

convection columnconvection column Thickened fuel burns longer on the Thickened fuel burns longer on the

groundground Lay more continuous line of fireLay more continuous line of fire Helitorch easily jettisoned by pilotHelitorch easily jettisoned by pilot

ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES

Effective under marginal weather, site, Effective under marginal weather, site, or fuel conditionsor fuel conditions

Burn in inaccessible areasBurn in inaccessible areas Burn more acres in less time than hand Burn more acres in less time than hand

ignitionignition Smoke emission reduced by widening Smoke emission reduced by widening

prescription windowprescription window

DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES May produce more fire than expectedMay produce more fire than expected Tanks / Drums must be D.O.T. approvedTanks / Drums must be D.O.T. approved Gasoline is hazardous & highly flammableGasoline is hazardous & highly flammable Substantial personnel & equipment neededSubstantial personnel & equipment needed Extensive training & commitment Extensive training & commitment Requires good access for fuel transportationRequires good access for fuel transportation Costs can be significantCosts can be significant

DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES

Requires considerable planning & Requires considerable planning & organizationorganization

Safety procedures are rigorous & Safety procedures are rigorous & extensiveextensive

Hazmat removal & storage Hazmat removal & storage Easy to lose control of column Easy to lose control of column

during break in ignitionduring break in ignition