Flossi Fights Wildfires
Fighting wildfires requires specialised chemicals and equipment to contain and extinguish fires, protect firefighters, and manage the challenging conditions. Here are some of the critical tools and chemicals:
Chemicals
1. Fire Retardants: Chemicals like Phos-Chek are dropped from planes and helicopters to slow the fire's spread. They create a fire-resistant barrier by coating vegetation, which reduces flammability and limits the fire’s fuel source.
2. Water Enhancers: Gels like FireIce or Thermo-Gel can be mixed with water to increase their ability to cling to surfaces. This creates a protective layer on structures or vegetation that resists ignition.
3. Foams: Firefighting foams, such as Class A Foam, are added to water and work by increasing its surface tension, helping it penetrate burning materials more effectively. They also cool the fire and limit the oxygen supply to the flames.
4. Suppressants: Short-term suppressants, such as wetting agents and Class A foams, help reduce the intensity of flames, giving firefighters more time to control the fire's spread.
Equipment
1. Fire Engines: Specially designed engines for wildfire management come equipped with off-road capabilities and high-clearance suspension. They have pumps, hoses, tanks carrying water and other firefighting agents.
2. Helicopters and Air Tankers: Helicopters are used for water drops or deploying fire retardants, while larger air tankers can carry thousands of gallons of retardant or water for aerial drops over large areas.
3. Hand Tools: Tools like Pulaskis, which combine an ax and a hoe, and McLeods, a rake-hoe hybrid, are used to dig fire lines, removing vegetation down to the bare soil, to prevent the fire from spreading.
4. Chainsaws and Bulldozers: These are used to cut down trees, clear vegetation, and create firebreaks. Bulldozers are especially helpful in creating broad fire lines to block the fire’s path.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wildland firefighters wear specialised PPE, including flame-resistant clothing, helmets, goggles, and gloves, and carry fire shelters for emergency protection.
6. Fire Shelters: These emergency devices, made from layers of aluminium foil and silica, can be deployed in extreme situations to reflect heat and create an insulating layer around firefighters.
7. Drones: Equipped with thermal imaging cameras, drones are increasingly used to survey wildfires, track their progress, and locate hotspots, especially in rugged or remote areas with limited visibility.
FireIce is produced by GelTech Solutions, an innovative technology company specialising in eco-friendly fire prevention and suppression products.
Thermo-Gel is manufactured by Thermo Technologies, LLC, a company dedicated to developing cost-effective products to combat fire-related losses.
Several manufacturers produce Class A foam concentrates, essential in combating fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and vegetation. Notable producers include:
- Perimeter Solutions: Offers a range of Class A foam concentrates under the PHOS-CHEK® brand, designed to enhance water's effectiveness in firefighting.
- Chemguard: Provides Class A foam concentrates that combine foaming and wetting agents, suitable for various firefighting applications.
- National Foam: Produces environmentally responsible Class A foam concentrates like KnockDown® and Responder®, both designed for effective fire suppression.
- ANSUL: Offers Class A foam agents formulated to reduce water's surface tension, providing superior wetting and penetrating characteristics for firefighting.
- Fomtec: Develops and distributes firefighting foams, including Class A foam concentrates, suitable for various fire protection needs.
These manufacturers provide various Class A foam products tailored to different firefighting scenarios, effectively suppressing fires involving common combustible materials.
Among the companies mentioned, Perimeter Solutions is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PRM.
GelTech Solutions, the manufacturer of FireIce, is also publicly traded on the OTCQB Exchange under the ticker symbol GLTC.
The other companies—Chemguard, National Foam, ANSUL, and Fomtec—are privately held and not listed on public stock exchanges.
Several manufacturers produce Pulaski and McLeod tools, which are essential in firefighting and land management. Notable producers include:
Pulaski Tools:
- Council Tool: A renowned American manufacturer offering high-quality Pulaski axes.
- Warwood Tool: Produces Pulaski axes adhering to traditional specifications and is suitable for chopping and digging tasks.
- Barebones Living: Offers Pulaski axes designed for functionality and aesthetic appeal.
McLeod Tools:
- Council Tool: Manufactures McLeod tools with high-carbon steel blades and durable handles, meeting U.S. Forest Service specifications.
- Nupla: Provides McLeod fire tools featuring flame-resistant handles and robust construction.
- Flamefighter: Offers McLeod tools with fiberglass handles, designed for wildland firefighting applications.
Council Tool and Nupla are privately held and not publicly traded among the mentioned companies. Warwood Tool, Barebones Living, and Flamefighter are privately owned and not listed on public stock exchanges. Therefore, none of these companies are publicly traded.
