Steber, S. 2019. New helitorch developed by the Forest Service. 1951 2305. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program. 6 p.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) developed a new helitorch for firefighters. A combination of propane and an electric spark ignition ignite gelled fuel that flows from a 55-gallon fuel drum through a gasoline transfer pump and out a fuel discharge tip. The ignited fuel then falls to the ground. NTDP successfully flight-tested the helitorch during live prescribed burns. Fabrication drawings and an operations manual are now available.

Keywords: aerial ignition, fuel transportation, gelled fuel, prescribed burns, safety at work, U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT

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