Wildfire suppression trailer

[scootr]

I'm building an emergency fire fighting rig. Just something better than nothing, if I need to put water on a fire. Watch ash fall on the place is unnerving without any way to stop a spot fire.
I bought a single axle 6x10 trailer and two 275 gal IBC tanks on CL pretty cheap and a new 2" trash pump. I have some 2" and 1.5" fire hose. All that is left is to plumb the tanks to the pump and stage it where it's ready when fire season comes. I found the IBC tank to NPT adapters after a little searching. 2 tanks had slightly different sizes outlets like 30mm and 33mm but research showed how to measure the threads and get the right parts.
Been thinking this through. Considering plumbing a pump prime and pressure bypass.
Will post more info and pics as the project comes together.

 

[steve tym]

Those totes will weigh almost 5,000 pounds. Careful of the trailer rating.

 

[airbiscuit]

Also,maybe consider a nozzle that can also shoot out a narrow stream of water so you don't go through all your water quickly. It's amazing how much fire one of these could put out with a small stream of water..

 

[jyoutz]

Or just keep vegetation mowed and don’t worry about it.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Or just keep vegetation mowed and don’t worry about it.

Or, do both, because why not if you've got the time and money.

 

[ponytug]

@scootr Good luck, and I hope that you never have to use it. Have you looked around to see if there are any local fire training courses available? FD and CERT run them in many locales. The oft repeated statement is that a firefighting trained operator can be ten times as effective as an untrained one. Whether it is exactly true, I don't know, but I've watched amateurs make poor use of resources during fires more than a few times.

You might look into wetting additives like "Drench" that make water far more effective. There are also charring agents like phos-chek's ammonium phosphate version, and its clones. If you design your pump and tanks to recirculate for mixing, it helps with any future additives.

Personally, I am on @jyoutz's and @tacticalturnip's page and try to keep the vegetation very low on the property, but I still have tanks and a fire pump. We use variable flow nozzles that go from a narrow jet to wide flood spray.

My $0.02 would think about how much water in total you might want or need to put on a fire and arrange for enough storage. At some point, underground fire pipe to strategic locations can be a useful addition to the plan.

All the best,

Peter

 

[EddieWalker]

My neighbor bought an old fire truck and converted it into a trailer. I think it hold 500 gallons of water and his tractor is 80 hp. He keeps it close to his burn pile when it's going, but so far, I don't think he has every had to use it. I'm not sure how it's powered, or how far away from the burn pile he can get it if it's not hooked up to his tractor, which it usually isn't when he's burning.

My issues with burning have been from the stuff that floats into the air and lands out in the field a hundred yards away. Early on, this happened a few times and it was pretty scary. I used the loader bucket to put those fires out and learned my lesson after the third time it happened. I should of learned it after the first time!!!

Now I only burn after it's rained and everything is soaking wet.

If it wasn't for Amazon, Sam's, Walmart and Chewy boxes, I probably wouldn't even have to burn anything. But I also clean up fallen branches and trees, so there's always a reason to have a burn pile.

 

[Bearsixty7]

My neighbor bought an old fire truck and converted it into a trailer. I think it hold 500 gallons of water and his tractor is 80 hp. He keeps it close to his burn pile when it's going, but so far, I don't think he has every had to use it. I'm not sure how it's powered, or how far away from the burn pile he can get it if it's not hooked up to his tractor, which it usually isn't when he's burning.

My issues with burning have been from the stuff that floats into the air and lands out in the field a hundred yards away. Early on, this happened a few times and it was pretty scary. I used the loader bucket to put those fires out and learned my lesson after the third time it happened. I should of learned it after the first time!!!

Now I only burn after it's rained and everything is soaking wet.

If it wasn't for Amazon, Sam's, Walmart and Chewy boxes, I probably wouldn't even have to burn anything. But I also clean up fallen branches and trees, so there's always a reason to have a burn pile.

I watch Arm Family Homestead in OK. As I can relate to a lot of what they do and they are 45 minutes from my BIL and where I used to deer hunt so I'm familiar with the area.
Anyway, He has done a couple prescribed burns on the channel and it got me to looking for our property in MO. and I found a PBA (Prescribed Burn Association) and a quick search and there are some for TX, They are very informative, (Well the MO. ones are anyway)

TPWD: Prescribed Burn Associations in Texas

Texas Prescribed Burn Associations

 

[jyoutz]

@scootr Good luck, and I hope that you never have to use it. Have you looked around to see if there are any local fire training courses available? FD and CERT run them in many locales. The oft repeated statement is that a firefighting trained operator can be ten times as effective as an untrained one. Whether it is exactly true, I don't know, but I've watched amateurs make poor use of resources during fires more than a few times.

You might look into wetting additives like "Drench" that make water far more effective. There are also charring agents like phos-chek's ammonium phosphate version, and its clones. If you design your pump and tanks to recirculate for mixing, it helps with any future additives.

Personally, I am on @jyoutz's and @tacticalturnip's page and try to keep the vegetation very low on the property, but I still have tanks and a fire pump. We use variable flow nozzles that go from a narrow jet to wide flood spray.

My $0.02 would think about how much water in total you might want or need to put on a fire and arrange for enough storage. At some point, underground fire pipe to strategic locations can be a useful addition to the plan.

All the best,

Peter

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.

 

[scootr]

All good input. I am considering having both the 1.5" adjustable nozzle on a fire hose I have and a garden hose outlet. Weight is a concern, although mostly for storage. I plan some stabilizers and jacks to keep excessive weight off the 8 ply tires while it sits. One 275 gal IBC didn't seem like enough. 2 is pushing the limits. But I don't have to fill them to the top. 500 gallons is average for a field fire truck.
I have a 3k gallon house tank with an older 4k backup tank soon to be repaired. These big tanks have FD connections (and signage) and sit in a cleared field with paved access. I do mow and scape weeds but it's bad neighbors and wind I worry about.
Originally I wanted to buy an old water truck but the cost is too high, plus there is maintaining another engine/battery/steel tank/pump. hoses etc. The trailer with IBC just seemed more doable.
I'm getting an education in pipe thread ; NPT HST IBC (metric)
I see lots of these rigs on you tube. Some better than others. All are better than nothing.