Flaming Invasive Weeds
Here is something for your 2006 Happy New Year!
Wildland weed flaming as a tool for combatting invasive noxious weeds in wildland settings.
The technique of flaming weeds as a form of weed abatement has been around a long time in agricultural settings but it is relatively new in wild landscapes or wildland habitat restorartion settings.
Typically in the ag fields, workers carry a small 2.4-gallon, 10-lb. capacity propane tank (aka cylinder) attached to a backpack and they flame unwanted weeds in the fields or around buildings, inside ashpalt crevices, etc. Tractors are also fitted with attachments that have many orifices along a "boom" and flames are emitted to kill or set back weeds as the tractor moves between crop rows, etc.
Flaming is an exciting wildland restoration tool because its a safe and fun technique to use and works best when it is raining or very wet out. This provides a great alternative to herbicides but just on rainy days. Propane flaming kits are available that use either liquid withdrawal or vapor withdrawal systems and a variety of torches and propane cylinders.
Much of what we know about flaming invasive has been provided by Ken Moore who has an excellent write-up on safety and how to operate flaming equipment at http://www.wildwork.org/webdocs/Flame_Weed_Control.pdf.
Below are more photos of flaming for your new year palate.
Enjoy a flaming new year!
p.s. Even more cool flaming photos on are stored at www.chuckhaugenconservationfund.org If you want to check them out just visit the homepage and click on photos then click on the "So cool!" Flaming weed photo set.
Above: Mary Paul enjoying habitat restoration using propane flaming techinique (20 lb vapor torch assembly) on poison hemlock at Fort Ord.
Below: Bruce Delgado using 30 lb., 7.5 gallon capacity liquid propane torch assembly to flame sweet clover (Melilotus indica) along Barloy Cyn. Rd. on Fort Ord. Photo by Mary Paul, Dec. 28, 2005.
Who are these plants? See below!
Melilotus indica on right and left is also called Indian melilot, or yellow sweet clover. Geranium molle in center of this seedling sandwich is also called dove's foot geranium. Note the seed leaves (aka "cotyledons") of each species and how different they are from the "true leaves" above them that grow after the cotyledons. Can you find all three leaf forms on the yellow sweet clover in this photo? Very interesting, and, by the way, at this early stage is when it is most efficient to flame these invasive weeds for habitat restoration purposes. Photos taken Dec. 28-29, 2005 by Mary Paul and Bruce Delgado.
Comments
On Dec. 31, 2005, Bruce Delgado wrote:
This message is intended to briefly document a quick brainstorm of the most important safety and other information regarding torch kit CHCF is about to loan State Parks and Elkhorn Slough Reserve.
CHCF will be loaning a 750,000 BTU Manchester hand jet vapor torch and a 5-gallon, 20 lb. standard propane cylinder. It weighs approx. 17 lbs. when it is empty and approx. 30 lbs (depending on ambient temperature) when it is full.
This 750K BTU torch is the new and much acclaimed torch recommended by Ken Moore. This BTU output is 2-3 times most other torches and this means it is very powerful and will flame weeds much faster so operator can move faster and cover more ground. Also this torch has a continuous pilot light so the torch does not blow out as often as other torches and this torch is much lighted in weight than other torches so it is nicer to your arms and body! CHCF has purchased two of these torches for approximately $225 each for torch, hoses, and fittings (not including cylinder, that is about $40).
This torch is a vapor withdrawal torch not a liquid withdrawal torch. The main drawback is that, because it draws so much fuel to output 750,000 BTU then if it is used non-stop for 15 minutes or so the cylinder valve may freeze up and stop flow of propane vapor to torch. If that happens the torch can be connected to another cylinder or resume use on same cylinder after it thaws. Thawing could take 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on ambient temperatures and wind chill, etc.
Ken recommends lining out several cylinders and connecting torch to one after another.
In many instances, the torch will be used intermittently with a few minutes in between bursts of a few minutes or less of use. In these instances the torch may last the duration of fuel in the cylinder.
Essential Safety Protocol:
Don't transport inside vehicle cabs.
Always secure cylinder to truck bed with ropes or bungies etc. during any transportation.
Always transport torch disconnected from hose and hose attached to cylinder
During transportation ensure both valves (tank and torch each have a valve) are closed snug.
For operation:
Check that all connections are tight before igniting torch.
Turn torch off if you ever hear gas leaking when or where it shouldn't. Usually this is caused by loose nut or fitting somewhere that is easily tightened.
Always remain aware of where hose, cylinder, rocks and other obstacles are when using the torch. Tripping and/or burning hose are biggest hazards in my opinion.
Recommended safety gear:
safety glasses just like State Parks uses for herbicide applications
leather boots (I think rubber may be acceptable and I prefer them in the rain but BLM requires leather)
leather gloves (I think this is important to protect hands from cold and hot metal and flame and dings moving cylinder around)
nomex pants (BLM requires these but I don't think they are essential)
nomex shirt or jacket (BLM requires these but I don't think they are essential)
natural fiber socks, under wear, t-shirt, hat or cap if used
gortex raingear if needed, not nylon raingear (BLM requires these but I don't understand how gortex is different).
END
Posted by: Bruce Delgado | December 31, 2005 08:31 AM
I helped Peter Q and Bruce flame at Pt Lobos last Saturday. The flaming steamed thousands of french broom cotyledons near Gibson Creek. By using either a backpack or a 2-person system, we were able to cover some very steep territory. The second person can be helpful by moving the propane tank and hose as well as pulling any nearby broom that is too large to flame.
Ken Moore and Tanya of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area or GGNRA led a great day at Henry Cowell State Park on Sunday. There were about 10 GGNRA volunteers on a field trip to Monterey County, kind of like weed warriors' on holiday. Ken showed us a large site where he has been working on french broom, english ivy, and acacia for about 10 years. He also removed a coniaster tree with a few strong pulaski chops. It was great to be out there cleaning up ivy sprouts and pulling out french broom with a weed-master like Ken Moore. And those GGNRA folks not only know how to work but they also brought awesome cookies and chocolate treats!
Posted by: Jan Shriner | January 9, 2006 07:22 PM