Wildfire suppression trailer

[scootr]

I have been on hundreds of wildfire incidents throughout the western U.S. and even some in Virginia. I have never seen fire carry through mowed grass. Firebrands that are wind-carried could be a threat to structures if they are combustible, so having a small water pump does have some merit in those situations. Maybe that’s what Scootr is planning for? Grass fires won’t throw fire brands long distances, but woody shrubs and forest fuels will if the winds are strong.

One of my bad neighbors is the Water District. They do not control vegetation per EPA restrictions. Their land is sage, grasses, weeds, and eucalyptus trees On the other side I mow my neighbors field cheap just to control the risk. And I have some Eucalyptus trees around the wood sided house for shade. The concern is valid given the frequency of CA wildfires....

 

[ptsg]

When it's fire season over here, I just keep a 1000 liter IBC full of water loaded on my little dump trailer, with one of those small gas powered water pumps and good length of hose, all ready to go.

I don't know if it will serve me any good or not, it's not much either, but it does make me feel better and at least I've something I can use. If it's not for my use, I jump on the tractor and go help whoever need help at the time.

I keep the land mowed, even it gets close to my stuff, it should be low and easy to take care. I don't have any big trees around since those burned down in the last fire in 2006.

A big plague in this country is the eucalyptus. An absolute disgrace but with the paper industry being so big here, it's all about money. Anyway, I've seen huge fire balls fed from all the oils the eucalyptus trees have and launch those fireballs ball like 500m in the air and setting the fire ahead of where it was.

 

[ultrarunner]

My brother will not leave the farm during California peek fire season… said too much to loose.

I expressed concern because he mows some very steep inclines and people die in tractor roll overs as did his neighbor less than a mile away…

Old with his 9N and rear rotary mower on a hillside he’s cut 50+ years and rolled it… survived but died several hours later from internal injuries… same happened to my friend rototilling with his Cub and the father in law of a friend mowing

All had tractors without rops mowing to reduce fuel load to pass fire inspection plots they had mowed for decades…

I like your idea of portable water… friend at Tahoe bought a surplus military keep with tank and fire hose

 

[ponytug]

I've lost a few neighbors to tractor rollovers.
Slope mowers for steep terrain;

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TSM Class

Compact Tractors, Slope Mowers, Articulated Tractors, Tractor Attachments, Trailer Packages

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[ponytug]

One of my bad neighbors is the Water District. They do not control vegetation per EPA restrictions. Their land is sage, grasses, weeds, and eucalyptus trees On the other side I mow my neighbors field cheap just to control the risk. And I have some Eucalyptus trees around the wood sided house for shade. The concern is valid given the frequency of CA wildfires....

Sorry to hear about the water district. Have you had a friendly chat with the powers to be about your concerns, and their liability if a fire there gets to your place? Perhaps they could run a fire break on their side?

From a fire perspective, I personally think that there are few trees that get much more dangerous than eucalyptus. Shaggy dry bark, oil rich leaves, and a tendency to drop widow maker limbs without warning.

Don't get me wrong; I love the smell and the look, but I think that they are fire bombs waiting to go off. So, yeah, I guess I am suggesting you remove them from your property.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

Ironic and sad that all those I know were only out there mowing the steep areas to comply with fire suppression…

Only will get worse as more areas ban gas powered string and blade trimmers.

 

[ponytug]

Ironic and sad that all those I know were only out there mowing the steep areas to comply with fire suppression…

Only will get worse as more areas ban gas powered string and blade trimmers.

Goats!

 

[ultrarunner]

Sorry to hear about the water district. Have you had a friendly chat with the powers to be about your concerns, and their liability if a fire there gets to your place? Perhaps they could run a fire break on their side?

From a fire perspective, I personally think that there are few trees that get much more dangerous than eucalyptus. Shaggy dry bark, oil rich leaves, and a tendency to drop widow maker limbs without warning.

Don't get me wrong; I love the smell and the look, but I think that they are fire bombs waiting to go off. So, yeah, I guess I am suggesting you remove them from your property.

All the best,

Peter

Municipal agencies often claim lack of funding for fuel load reduction but same doesn’t work for private property owners…

I was cited for property owned by the school district… once I got that cleared up I said how soon can I expect the district to clean up its land and was told the district doesn’t have the funds.

 

[ultrarunner]

Goats!

Goats are allowed for the brief time actually on the job…

Renting goats is futile and if I owned goats where would I keep them the other 360 days of the year?

 

[2manyrocks]

Fencing for goats is a lot of work. They now have some mesh electric fencing that is easier to put up and move, but it's still work to do that on a slope. Plus, I would guess you'd have to watch your step installing it if rattlesnakes are an issue in California, too, in overgrown brush.

That being said, I wouldn't attempt to mow a steep slope with a 9n.

I'm still waiting for someone to make an affordable remote control slope brush mower that isn't $65k or more.