Wildfire Today

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Wildfire Today

28 fuel geyser incidents reported in 2018

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , 3 Comments on 28 fuel geyser incidents reported in 2018

Fuel and vapor can be expelled with force from a chainsaw fuel tank

fuel geyser incidents map
This map was originally prepared by ExxonMobile to indicate the areas with “U.S. Gasoline Requirements”, hence the shaded areas and the legend at bottom-left. Someone added the Xs for the location, by year, of fuel geyser incidents reported from 2015 to 2018, and the legend at top-right. Click to enlarge.

In 2018 there were 28 reports of fuel geyser incidents, in which fuel and vapor are expelled with force from a fuel tank or container. These can be dangerous, especially when ignition sources may be in close proximity, such as when a person is fighting a fire.

For years the land management agencies have been warning firefighters about the dangers of gasoline being forcefully released from chainsaws. Some of these incidents have occurred with saws that have the newer quarter-turn gas caps. After a saw has been running for a while pressure can build up in the gas tank causing vapor lock, which can prevent the saw from running. Thinking it may be out of fuel, the operator opens the quarter-turn gas cap and the pressure in the tank forces out fuel and vapor. If there is an ignition source nearby, it can quickly ignite and cause very serious injuries.

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center reported that of the 28 fuel geyser incidents reported in 2018, 23 involved chainsaws (21 with Stihl saws and 2 with Husqvarnas). Four incidents occurred with fuel containers, and one occurred with a leaf blower.

Over the last half decade or so several firefighters have been seriously burned in fuel geyser incidents. We reported some of them here, here, and here.

A 2015 report by the Bureau of Land Management identified possible pressurization hazards associated with fuel systems on 12 models of chainsaws:

  • Stihl 036, 044, 046, MS-361, MS-362, MS-441, MS-461, MS-660, MS-880;
  • Husqvarna 340, 345, 350

The BLM and other agencies have been working to figure out why fuel geysers occur and how to prevent additional injuries. On the list of recommendations that they have developed one of the most important is to open fuel caps very slowly and cover the cap with a rag to contain potential fuel geyser spray. If it begins to geyser, close it and let the engine and tank cool for an extended period of time. And don’t open the cap at all if the tank is over half full.

Here is the complete list from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group:

  • Always assume fuel tanks and fuel containers are pressurized.
  • Ensure the cap is correctly secured.
  • Always check fuel levels before opening the fuel tank or filler cap. Fuel levels greater than ½ tank may geyser.
  • Open cap slowly and if able, direct potential spray away.
  • Cover the cap with a rag to contain potential fuel geyser spray.
  • Always check fuel levels before opening a fuel cap.
  • Be extra vigilant when equipment is running poorly with fuel levels above ½ tank.
  • Move at least 20 feet away from any heat source.
  • Start the saw at least 10 feet from the fueling area.
  • Do not use fuel older than one month.

If the equipment is running poorly or vapor lock is suspected:

  • Do not open fuel cap. Relieving the pressure does not alleviate a “vapor lock” equipment.
  • Check fuel level through the tank or use the bar oil level to gage fuel level.
  • If fuel level is over ½ full, DO NOT open the tank.
  • Allow the equipment to thoroughly cool. This could take over 45 minutes.
  • When the equipment is cool, restart the equipment.

This video demonstrates what fuel geysering looks like. I don’t know which is worse — having it happen when you are 30-feet above the ground or near a wildfire.

The National Technology and Development Program’s National Fuel Geyser Project has proposed some possible solutions to fuel geysering, including  1) Vaporless Refueling Systems; 2) Formalized Fuel Geyser Training; 3) Standard Saw/Requirements; 4) No Gas Chainsaws; 5) Specialized Fuel; and 6) Fuel Conditioning.

In the meantime the Project hopes to continue its field evaluation of vaporless refueling systems. This would include 50 test crews and 30,000 refueling cycles from May through November of this year. This field evaluation would be implemented on all handheld-engine powered devices — chainsaws, string trimmers and blowers.

They are also working on these issues:

  • Vaporless Refueling System – by Industry and the National Technology and Development Program.
  • Saw Specification/Requirements – by the National Technology and Development Program.
  • Training – by Saw Program/Office of Safety and Occupational Health (OSOH)

The NWCG encourages field personnel to continue to report incidents of fuel geysering. Their National Fuel Geyser Awareness page has a link to a reporting system.

Memorial events for Daniel Laird scheduled

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , 4 Comments on Memorial events for Daniel Laird scheduled

Daniel Laird memorial

Daniel Laird, the U.S. Forest Service Helitack Captain who was killed in a helicopter accident on March 27 was honored April 3 by a procession from Conroe, Texas to the Bush airport in Houston.

Chris Schenck, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife described it:

Today Adam Terry and I, representing  TPWD, had the privilege of participating in the Memorial Procession for Daniel Laird, USFS Firefighter who perished in a helicopter crash last week.

It was for me an important element of respect for our fallen brother firefighter.  More than 100 fire vehicles  traveled in procession from Conroe to Houston Airport. Along the way fire companies with apparatus on overpasses and civilians saluted this fine young man as we passed.

It was both moving and helpful to those of us who have been involved in fire and aviation management.

The video shows the procession to the airport.

A United Airlines 737 transported Captain Laird from Houston to Sacramento where an honor guard escorted him to the Ullrey Memorial Chapel in Yuba City. On the trip to Yuba City firefighters and others paid their respects along the route and at overpasses.

Captain Laird was one of three people in a helicopter that crashed during aerial ignition operations on a prescribed fire in the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. The pilot, Morgan J. Kozloski, and a passenger, Kelly Callahen, were injured. The privately owned helicopter was under contract to the government.

Captain Laird worked on the Tahoe National Forest in California and leaves behind his wife and daughter. He had served for 23 years with the U.S. Forest Service.

Scheduled memorial events:

Friday, April 5

  • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Public Viewing at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street, Yuba City, CA.

Saturday, April 6

  • 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Processional from Ullrey Memorial Chapel to Sutter Cemetery at 7200 Butte House Rd. Sutter, CA. Many firefighters and pieces of fire apparatus are expected to participate in the processional.
  • 10 a.m. — Graveside service. This is a family service and seating is limited but they have invited any members of the U.S. Forest Service, other agencies and the public to attend as room allows.
  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. –The Laird family will be arriving at the House of Bread Church, through the Cordon of Honor. 6521 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA.
  • 2 p.m. — Memorial service at the House of Bread Church, 6521 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA.

Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands dances with Smokey Bear

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , ,
Smokey Bear Hilary Franz
Smokey Bear and Hilary Franz, Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands, in a screengrab from the video below.

Smokey Bear and Hilary Franz, Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands, filmed a fire prevention public service announcement with Smokey Bear.

30,000 acres burned so far in prescribed fire in South Florida

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 3 Comments on 30,000 acres burned so far in prescribed fire in South Florida
prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks
Cross-boundary prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. NPS photo.

Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Park are conducting a cross-boundary prescribed fire this week in South Florida. So far they have completed 30,000 acres. Everglades is continuing ignitions today and tomorrow, April 4 and 5, 2019.

prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks
Cross-boundary prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. NPS photo.

The south Florida National Parks often ignite prescribed fires with a helicopter-mounted device that drops plastic spheres which ignite after hitting the ground. It’s called a Plastic Sphere Dispenser, or PSD. Much of what the parks burn is vegetation over standing water. If the sphere lands in water it may not ignite the vegetation, but every sphere does not have to be successful.

The burn pattern in the photo below illustrates the paths of several helicopter flight lines. The direction of spread is being determined by a wind blowing from left to right.

prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks
Cross-boundary prescribed fire in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. NPS photo.

When the PSD was first developed several decades ago it was called an
Aerial Ignition Device, or AID. When acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, became a serious health issue, firefighters dropped the AID label and renamed it Plastic Sphere Dispenser, or PSD.

Joint Fire Science Program slated to be defunded

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags 7 Comments on Joint Fire Science Program slated to be defunded

What you can do

Joint Fire Science ProgramThe Joint Fire Science Program is slated to be defunded by the Administration in the current budget proposal for FY 2020. If you have thoughts about this, consider signing on to a letter of support by April 8, 2018.

Here is a description of the JFSP:

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) was established in 1998 to provide scientific information and support for wildland fuel and fire management programs. The program is a partnership of six federal agencies; the Forest Service in the Agriculture Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, all in the Department of the Interior. JFSP received specific direction from Congress to address four areas: fuels inventory and mapping, evaluation of fuels treatments, scheduling of fuels treatments and development of protocols for monitoring and evaluation.

In 2001, Congress further directed JFSP to expand its research efforts in post-fire rehabilitation and stabilization, local assistance, and aircraft-based remote sensing. Research sponsored by JFSP also examines other fire related issues including air quality, smoke management, and social aspects of fire and fuels management. In short, the purpose of JFSP is to provide wildland fire and fuels information and tools to specialists and managers, helping them to make the best possible decisions and develop sound, scientifically valid plans. The JFSP is managed by an appointed ten-person governing board with five representatives from the Department of Interior and five representatives from the USDA Forest Service. The board meets several times a year and conducts frequent conference calls to discuss program management and issues.