1. Firing Equipment
SL 5-1-1

2. Hand Firing Devices
Classified as a flammable solid
Consult MSDS

3. Fusees Used to ignite fine fuels Characteristics Grass Forest litter
Light weight
Portable
Produces a 2-4” flame
Suitable for small projects
Readily available
Available in 5 to 30 minute burn times
Wands can be assembled
Not the same as road flares; do not burn as hot or long
Classified as flammable solid

4. Correct Method
Back straight
Eyes and head pivoting

5. Drip Torch Characteristics Capable of handling most firing operations
Used to ignite all fuel types
Forest litter
Grass
Brush
Ladder fuels
Heavy fuels
Easily Carried on engines and utility vehicles

6. Parts
Know your torch

7. Drip Torch Liquid fuel device Fuel classified as a combustible liquid
Fill only ¾ full
2 parts diesel fuel
1 part gasoline
Fuel classified as a combustible liquid

8. Drip Torch at Work
SL 5-1-8

9. Application Methods Trail torch slightly behind you or...
Swing torch back and forth beside body from front to back
Do not swing torch side to side in front of body and walk through lit fire
Only apply amount of fire necessary to achieve desired results
Extinguishment
Upon completion of assignment or if standing by for extended periods, blow out wick

10. Drip Torch Safety Possible problems Defective vent/clogged
Improper mix
Poor gasket seal

11. Drip Torch Safety Fuel may “spurt” out of spout when hot.
CAUTION
Fuel may “spurt” out of spout when hot.
Do not get unburned fuel on PPE
Maintain spacing with other crew members to ensure lit fuel does not hit anyone as it is applied

12. Terra Torch
The Terra Torch requires separate and specific training prior to use. SL

13. Characteristics Used when other ignition devices are ineffective
Range up to 100 feet
Requires specialized training
Requires crew of 2 or more SL

14. Charactersitics
Trailer mount
Skid mount

15. Characteristics Fuel is a mixture of alumagel/surefire and gasoline
Dispenses fuel under pressure through a hand held nozzle
Classified as a flammable liquid

16. Terra Torch Hazards Radiant heat Mixing Fuel Rotate personnel
Additional PPE For thermal protection
Mixing Fuel

17. PROJECTED AERIAL DEVICES

18. Very Pistols

19. Very Pistol
Best in light contiguous fuels
Extended reach

20. Very Pistol Characteristics
Specialized flare launcher requiring operator to be qualified before use
Burn time of approximately 8 seconds at 1,400°F
12 gauge and 25 mm
Classified as an explosive 1.4 and flammable solid
Range up to 375 feet

21. Very Pistol
25 mm w / Insert Adapter
12 Gauge
25 mm
Insert

22. Very Pistol Hazards Firing Communicate to personnel I.D. target
Use hearing protection

23. Very Pistol Hazards (continued) Misfires Accidental Firing
Communicate to personnel
Repeat firing sequence
If round doesn’t fire
Keep pointed down range for three seconds
Remove round
Store in an approved container
Ship to disposal facility
Accidental Firing

24. Very Pistol
Beware of ricochet

25. Fire Quick Flare Launcher

26. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Follow manufacturer’s recommendation
Used by qualified personnel only

27. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Characteristics
Specialized launcher requiring operator training
Uses 22 caliber blanks
Launches 1 inch diameter flares
Range up to 300 feet
Burns approx. 6 to 8 seconds at 4000°F
Aerial burst covers 10 to 20 feet
Monitor wind direction and speed
Classified as 1.4 explosive and flammable solid

28. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Hazards
Communicate to personnel before firing
Hearing protection required
Misfires
Communicate to personnel when a misfire occurs
Repeat firing sequence
Treat faulty 22 caliber rounds the same as Very Pistol rounds

29. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Dud Flares
Identify flare location to personnel
Do not approach flare until area is cooled off and flare is safe to approach
Dispose of flare in accordance with disposal guidelines

30. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Firing the Launcher
Load 22 cal. cylinder

31. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Firing the Launcher (cont.)
Insert flare
Directional arrow

32. Firing the Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Firing the Launcher
Communicate to personnel before firing
ID target
Aim at 45 degree angle
Pull trigger

33. Fire Quick Flare Launcher
Photo of flare aerial burst

34. Hand Thrown Flares 1.5 and 2.5 inch flares
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for use
Used in all fuel types

35. Hand Thrown Flares Characteristics Fuse burn time 30 to 40 seconds
Flare burn time 6 to 8 seconds at 4,000°F
Ignited material covers 30 to 60 foot diameter
Classified as a flammable solid

36. Hand Thrown Flares
Preparing flare
For use
Expose fuse

37. Hand Thrown Flares
Arrow on flare directs the direction of throw

38. Hand Thrown Flares
Light fuse

39. Hand Thrown Flares Throw flare
Must be thrown a minimum distance of 100 feet from personnel, equipment, and control lines

40. Hand Thrown Flares
Flare ignition

41. IGNITION DEVICES USED WITH AIRCRAFT

42. Helitorch Used in all fuel types
Can ignite fuels with high fuel moisture
Capable of burning standing fuel and continuous surface fuel beds

43. Helitorch
Produces large amounts of fire in a short period

44. Helitorch Characteristics
Used as an external sling load under rotary wing aircraft
Uses aluma-gel/surefire and gasoline mix
Consult MSDS
Can reach areas not accessible by ground
Classified as a flammable liquid

45. Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device
internal load

46. Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device
Requires less time to initiate than a helitorch
To be effective, requires 1 hour fuel bed
Requires special training to operate

47. Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device
Ignition results from 1 cc of ethylene glycol being injected into the ball which is filled with potassium permanganate
This forms an exothermic (heat producing) reaction

48. Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device
Characteristics
Normally used with rotary wing aircraft
Mounted internally
Classified as an oxidizer
Consult MSDS

49. Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device
Dispersal rates can be varied by
Aircraft speed
Altitude
Machine dispersal rate

50. Firing Equipment
Are you and your firing equipment ready?