Cory
Well-Known Member
I recently began building and testing motors. When I approached my friend who owns land near town even after explaining the risks he was almost as excited as I was to get started. After plowing the area we set up the stand in a dried up pond bed. After almost 7 years being dry, the water system has been repaired and the site is currently being flooded. Saturday the land owner and I drove around the square mile available and choose a new spot. We agreed the first thing necessary was a good mow to mitigate the fire hazard and allow the newly budding grass to grow quicker and greener.
Monday after work I headed out with my 48" decked riding mower. The idea was to knock everything down on the highest setting, then work from the middle out on a lower setting and push all the cut dry grass to the side. I have done this multiple times originally learned 10+ years ago working on a golf course. Well this grass was taller and probably drier. With only a few passes remaining before calling it quits the grass was piling up pretty high and while pushing a large pile the mower started bogging down and I reversed. IMMEDIATELY the pile went up in flames. The landowner and neighboring landowner where nearby after a few calves had crossed the fence and were able to hear me yell and were close enough to see the fire begin. Three of us worked to try to contain the blaze to no avail. Within less than 2 minutes the fire was obviously out of control and I called a friend and local volunteer firefighter to respond. Luckily fireman were onsight 7 miles out of town - 1 mile from the county road about 10 minutes later - with the county commissioner showing up with 2 road maintainers 10 minutes later.
This is what I was working with-
The small amount of mowed grass not burnt from the above picture at center left.
Taken from fire break across from first two pictures. Notice the almost clean square area under and past the tree - this was the center of my mowed area and had very little burnable material when the fire began.
With truck for perspective.
From the farther reaches of the fire to the beginning.
Truck over hill out of sight.
WAY TO CLOSE! This fence separates the two landowners property and cattle.
After the excitement died down and fire was obviously under control, I was relieved to find out no one wanted my head on a platter. Everyone who had witnessed the circumstances agreed it was an accident, albeit an avoidable one. There was even talk about doing a controlled burn of the pictured shinery row while everyone was there, but darkness was to near. The question did finally come up - WHY were you mowing this random strip of grass?
I was a little nervous, but answered honestly and received the anticipated stare when I said trying to make a site as fire safe as possible for rocket motor testing. After a few minutes explaining myself, and proving I wasn't making it up by showing the fire chief a video of a recent test burn, a new wave of conversation and questioning began with several curious firefighters and county officials. It was even stated they would be interested to watch a test, and could bring some fire support.
The landowner ended up saying the spot was now better than ever for the intended purpose, and we plan to maintain the short grass and firebreaks provided by the accident and rescue.
It should be noted I recently completed mounting a 25 gallon water tank to my ATV, and work is underway on a 330 gallon water tank with a 3" gas powered water pump to serve as the properties "Fire Prevention and Control" trailer.
Monday after work I headed out with my 48" decked riding mower. The idea was to knock everything down on the highest setting, then work from the middle out on a lower setting and push all the cut dry grass to the side. I have done this multiple times originally learned 10+ years ago working on a golf course. Well this grass was taller and probably drier. With only a few passes remaining before calling it quits the grass was piling up pretty high and while pushing a large pile the mower started bogging down and I reversed. IMMEDIATELY the pile went up in flames. The landowner and neighboring landowner where nearby after a few calves had crossed the fence and were able to hear me yell and were close enough to see the fire begin. Three of us worked to try to contain the blaze to no avail. Within less than 2 minutes the fire was obviously out of control and I called a friend and local volunteer firefighter to respond. Luckily fireman were onsight 7 miles out of town - 1 mile from the county road about 10 minutes later - with the county commissioner showing up with 2 road maintainers 10 minutes later.
This is what I was working with-
The small amount of mowed grass not burnt from the above picture at center left.
Taken from fire break across from first two pictures. Notice the almost clean square area under and past the tree - this was the center of my mowed area and had very little burnable material when the fire began.
With truck for perspective.
From the farther reaches of the fire to the beginning.
Truck over hill out of sight.
WAY TO CLOSE! This fence separates the two landowners property and cattle.
After the excitement died down and fire was obviously under control, I was relieved to find out no one wanted my head on a platter. Everyone who had witnessed the circumstances agreed it was an accident, albeit an avoidable one. There was even talk about doing a controlled burn of the pictured shinery row while everyone was there, but darkness was to near. The question did finally come up - WHY were you mowing this random strip of grass?
I was a little nervous, but answered honestly and received the anticipated stare when I said trying to make a site as fire safe as possible for rocket motor testing. After a few minutes explaining myself, and proving I wasn't making it up by showing the fire chief a video of a recent test burn, a new wave of conversation and questioning began with several curious firefighters and county officials. It was even stated they would be interested to watch a test, and could bring some fire support.
The landowner ended up saying the spot was now better than ever for the intended purpose, and we plan to maintain the short grass and firebreaks provided by the accident and rescue.
It should be noted I recently completed mounting a 25 gallon water tank to my ATV, and work is underway on a 330 gallon water tank with a 3" gas powered water pump to serve as the properties "Fire Prevention and Control" trailer.
