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.

 

[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;

https://power-trac.com/index_htm_files/180226.jpg

TSM Class

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

power-trac.com

 

[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.