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#76 |
Nothing Better To Do
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6
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The Operative Word Here Is...
SMALL.
Here's the skinny on brush fires. 1) Brush fires are relatively hard to extinguish because the are relatively hard to contain, and it's relatively difficult to do overhaul on them because of the magnitude of the task. The reason for that is that since the fire is out in the open with lots of fuel all around, it's difficult to ensure that an area that is burning doesn't continue to burn. Brush fires burn grass, brush, and trees for the most part. Early-ish in the Spring (or at any time in Spring when there is little rainfall) all of the deadfall from the previous Winter is just sitting there waiting to go up. That is one of the reasons why there tend to be more brush fires in the Spring in more places than later in the season, even though the ones later get most of the attention. Trees are just like the studs, joists, etc. in your house, except they're usually farther from the firefighting apparatus, which means that when we're trying to put them out we have to hand-carry the water/foam/whatever, along with the other tools necessary some distance from the rig. The other tools are typically axes and maybe saws. We have to break the wood apart to get at all the fire burning inside the tree, especially in old deadfall trees. Now some of you might be asking yourself "Why not just let the stuff in the middle burn?" To a large degree we do. However, fire isn't an exact or an absolute thing. Not all of an area that is "burning" is actually burning. Some of it (usually most of it) won't burn at all. There will be swatches through the landscape where there is fire. The problem is that if you just let everything in the interior of the fireground burn, then the ajacent, unburned land is also at risk (since it hasn't burned...yet. Structure fires are pretty easy - the structure contains the fire for the most part, and if it gets completely out of hand, we just "surround and drown". End of problem. We can park apparatus near the fire. We can overwhelm the fire with water (the usual approach). You can't do any of that with a brush fire. 2) Brush fires don't just burn down houses. Stupid people get thier houses burned down ![]() ![]() 3) If you want your house to still be standing when you get back, make it easy to defend. We aren't driving through neighborhoods looking to save every house. We are looking for the place where we're going to make a stand. Swimming pool with easy access: good. Clearing around the home: good. Not on a hillside: good. Brick or other non-combustible construction: good. Well-manicured property without lots of brush or other crap near the house: good. However, I have to tell you that there is one way to put your house on the "MUST SAVE" list: VOLUNTEER AT YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. You will learn how to save your own house, and you will get an "in" with the people who have to decide who's house they're going to save.
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Damn, I need less time to put out posts this long ![]() |
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#77 | |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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Quote:
And thanks for doing what you do. ![]()
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
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#78 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Quote:
We are careful and watch our fires full-time. |
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#79 |
Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya?
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 21,206
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HUH? Holi Pet, Batman.
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A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby |
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#80 |
Person Who Has Posted
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2
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well what if instead of the nozzle i made the hose into a venturi?????
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#81 |
Person Who Has Posted
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2
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you can get an aerating nozzle at fireade source .com
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#82 |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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Holy crap, 523,000 views on this thread!
Welcome to the Cellar, fredengle. ![]() Fireman?
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
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#83 |
polaroid of perfection
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 24,185
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We seem to have lost all but the first photo though.
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Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac |
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#84 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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good thanks!!:p
Last edited by wolf; 05-08-2009 at 11:30 AM. Reason: An amazing amount of links in the periods. |
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#85 |
Blatantly Homosapien
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,200
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Welcome to the Cellar, bevoer. Looks like you're off to a nice start.
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Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please. |
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#86 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Hahaha. Off to a nice start? Are you sure?
Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 06-18-2009 at 10:13 PM. |
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#88 |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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Not anymore.
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
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#90 |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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All hidden links are malicious.
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
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