To Burn or Not To Burn

[SCswampCAT]

Yea you can't just call in get a number and then burn whenever....Also have you location (nearest street address is good), Acreage, and Nearest Smoke Sensitive area written down. SSA can be a major highway, airport, interstate, and things like that....it's really not complicated at all...if you were anywhere near Georgetown I'd come do it for you for a case of beer...

Yep, this guy gets it. You work for the SC forestry commission?

[Southernduck]

It's dry grass, it will be over before you know it.... It burns, throws up smoke and is done as long as you have a decent break.

[gamecock1974]

Never been exposed to burning a piece of property and may be that, as some of you have stated, it isnt as big of a deal as I had in my head. Researched it a bit, and have a plan put together for how to approach. Spent about an hour or so yesterday putting a fire break around the part i want to burn.

This may be the only time i ever do this, so how critical is having a drip torch going to be or can i just use other means to light it? And if a drip torch is critical, any knowledge of where to rent one? Dont want to spend $200+ for a one time use...

[Murray]

gamecocks, where are you at?

drip torch is not really necessary, but its useful.

I would also make some "flipper flappers" 8' PVC pipe with a 2ft x 2ft piece of rubber on the end.

Plow a fire break.

Pick a calmer day

Keep wind direction in mind when burning the field and use it to your advantage.

[gamecock1974]

In SE lancaster county - between pageland and kershaw. Good deal on the flipper flappers. Fire break has been plowed.

[Sportin' Woodies]

2 gal/min 4wheeler water tank > flappers for patrolling breaks.

[Murray]

In SE lancaster county - between pageland and kershaw. Good deal on the flipper flappers. Fire break has been plowed.

Little too far of a drive...

[Murray]

2 gal/min 4wheeler water tank > flappers for patrolling breaks.

Indeed. Fat people get sprayers, skinny ones get flappers. I'm a flipper flapper but getting close to riding.

[Quackhead22]

2 gal/min 4wheeler water tank > flappers for patrolling breaks.

That's the truth!! I've always used a sprayer on a tractor and a standard garden hose on it

[Murray]

Just use common sense and you will be fine.

Patrol the fire break and watch areas it doesn't need to go closely.

[gamecock1974]

Yep tractor sprayer will be on the tractor and full, ready for use.

Let me know where this goes wrong.

Pasture has a slight slope. Southern end of the field is the low end. Northern end is the high end. Plan to burn when wind is light and out of the southwest. Plan to start the backfire at the northern or high end of the field. Once that gets going well then will set the sides on fire and go from there.

Seems counter intuitive to burn down the hill and into the wind but read that going up hill and with the wind will get the fire out of hand.

Only thing I am struggling with. There are 2 large gum trees and one large oak in the field. Do I put a break around the trees or just burn right up to the trunk?

7-8 acre field.

[Sportin' Woodies]

You can not effectively patrol a break on foot. Unless you're burning a couple acres. I don't care how fat or skinny you are. Quick detection of a jump is the only way to contain it

[rocketman]

Just burning the grasses the fire shouldn't get too hot to affect the trees at all. I wouldn't put a break around the trees and if it kills the gum trees, at least there's a place for the doves to light.
Get a couple guys to help you watch the burn and you should be fine.
Look into backburning, start at the upwind side and let it burn into the wind no matter what you do.

[Quackhead22]

If it were me, I'd light my back fire and let it burn in and then walk to the center of the field just in front of the back fire and string fire right down the center of the field walking into the wind...

[Timberman22]

Category 1, Ceiling Ht, Transportation winds, and flipper flappers are a must! All shits and giggles aside download a burning plan off SCFC website and fill out so if something happens you "had" a plan. Ring it and have fun. :-)

[surfcock]

Question: What if an SC boy wants to burn his Grandfather's property for him in GA. Anybody know of their process? I already know I can't go through their burn training and expect to get any sort of certification being a nonresident.
It's also a small piece around 10 acreas, but might would need to be done in 2 sections.

[gamecock1974]

Was going to give this burn a go this weekend, but looking at the forecast for saturday, not sure that is the day. Humidity looks good, but relatively no wind to speak of. Have nothing more to go on other than what i have read online, but am guessing i need at minimum 5-10 mph in wind so as to not create a smoke issue.... or am i not thinking of this correctly? What is ideal in terms of conditions for temp, wind, humidity, etc? Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Murray]

I like a 5-8mph constant wind. Keeps the fire walking, but not so fast that I get nervous.

Smoke is a concern if you are near an highway, airport, etc.

What Timberman said is probably a really good idea.

[stephensj9]

If the field is solid dead grass throughout you wont have a problem with it. Just wait for a clear day with a steady 5mph wind and burn the damn field.

[gamecock1974]

Ended up burning it myself. Thanks to all who provided guidance. Glad to have that first one out of the way. Wasn't nearly as stressful as I thought it was going to be and the shit burned quick. Already started dissing it up and disc is line a warm knife through butter. Ready to burn some more shit now.