Note: scroll down to see an update to this article.
Wildfire Today first wrote about the Blacklining Machine in January, 2008 when it was being tested by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in South Dakota. A month later they approved it to be used on prescribed fires.
The device, pulled behind a tractor over a grassy prairie, uses propane burners under a metal structure to burn a five-foot wide black line, an area of burned vegetation, on the edge of a planned prescribed fire. Water spray nozzles, 16 of them, wet down the edges as the unit moves forward at about one mile an hour. In association with an adjacent mowed line, this can serve as a barrier to the prescribed fire spreading beyond the planned perimeter.
On Thursday the USF&WS demonstrated it at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in northern Nebraska. The Norfolk Daily News covered the event, but they got a little confused about the number and placement of the water nozzles and propane burners.
I’ve never seen one in action, but it may put in black line more quickly, with fewer people and with less risk of escape than conventional methods. It no doubt works best on an area with gentle terrain, grass fuels, and few rocks. But it’s probably fun to play with.
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UPDATE March 27, 2011
It occurs to me from reading the comments that some people are not familiar with the concept of blacklining a prescribed fire prior to the main ignition of the project. Depending on the tactics and the wind direction, the process of igniting along the perimeter can be a rather slow and tedious process until you get 5 to 30 feet of burned area, or black, adjacent to the perimeter. If the project is small and you have plenty of time and resources this may not be an issue. But if your project is large and you would like to minimize the number of operational periods devoted to igniting it, blacklining days or weeks before the burn can save you a lot of time. And you can have a broader prescription for blacklining than the main burn, making it possible to black line on days that would not be suitable for the larger project.
The Dillon Prescribed Fire shown above, was 3,132 acres. By blacklining the perimeter in advance, we were able to ignite the entire project in one day, while reducing the chances of an escape.
Blacklining can be especially useful prior to aerial ignition, as was the case on the Dillon project above. In some areas access on the Dillon was very difficult due to badlands. In those areas, instead of using engines and a water tender for support during blacklining, we used ATV’s with water tanks.
Thanks Judy
This machine is just like any other tool. It has its applications and its limits such as rocks over nine inches, steep terrain, and heavy fuels. I have first hand experience with this thing and it works unbelievable when properly applied, saving time and money. In times on declining fuels budgets, this machine can come in very handy.
The people in Huron did a great job in getting it set up and the people in Eastern Montana Fire District have done an excellent job in putting it to use. In my opinion, this is a great job of people and refuges/wmds working together to share equipment and personnel. Keep up the good work
I was done with my comments until it appeared Judy thought I was a moron. I see your points and understand them and black lining. I’ve been to PFTC twice and FUTA. I’m a type two burn boss. Sorry, just had to let you know I was just expressing my opinion. I’ll stop with my comments.
Jimmy, Judy did not write the UPDATE about blacklining, I did. Judy provided the tip about the newspaper article, so she was thanked.
I like the cute little wheels that the jersey barriers have. This thing is practical, except where there are rocks or terrain.
It passed muster in February 2008. A 2-mile-long black line prevented a fire on private land from spreading into the Maga-Tahohpi Waterfowl Production Area: http://www.fws.gov/fire/news/sd/machine_test.shtml
I bet the machine doesn’t get tired and sloppy, forget and carry a lit torch to the wrong side of the line, or require as many people to support it as hand ignitions. The propane burners would be more thorough and consistent than a drip torch, and relying on the fire to naturally get adequate consumption without being hard to control. Having done a fair amount of rx burning in the prairie, I’d like to give it a try.
The difference between the blackliner and the lame-ass concepts that have only been seen on drawing boards is that the blackliner was thoroughly tested and approved by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife service in 2007. It was also used with great success in the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Montana in 2010.
And Eric, the blackliner does not “understand fire behavior or alternative ignition strategies and tactics” any better than a drip torch or Pulaski does. All it is used for is for constructing two wet lines, spaced five feet apart, with a black line in between. The ignition of the main prescribed fire comes later, using the ignition devices and holding forces that are most appropriate.
Jimmy is correct-KISS and cheaper. Do you think this contraption will know or understand wildland fire behavoir or alternative ignition strategies and tactics–move on
Agreed, what’s the difference between this and all the other “inventions” that people ran a tirade about and was posted for the purpose of scrutiny?
Looks like it’s just hauling 2 jersey barriers attached to a camper being pulled by a tractor.
This thing looks stupid. Dumb idea. What a waste of propane. Give me a torch and an engine.
This machine is awesome! Better than that water tent that makes us into steamed veggies! lol