Originally Posted by
TStone
Sure, we use petrol powered backpack leaf blowers for blowing out flames and clearing combustible material around burning shrubs. It works really well in short to medium grasveld, which is what we mostly have.
As you would blow out a candle, this blows out the flames. Another person, with a backpack water sprayer usually follows behind to put out any smoldering material.
It does not work on burning trees or large shrubs, where it makes things worse. I have never tried it in really tall grass but I suspect that it would not be ideal there either. It is in short to medium grasveld where the leaf blowers come in handy, a few years ago we were still using flappers (as oafpatrol mentioned) and besembos to beat out the flames. One man with a leaf blower can probably achieve what 4 or 5 brandslaners can. Going up to a fire with a petrol tank strapped to your back is somewhat disconcerting though.
We do have several vehicle mounted fire fighters (500l water tanks with pressure pumps) but due to rocky terrain it is not always possible to get these to the fire.