Method and apparatus for containing wildfires
OwnerEugene A. Abbottinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for containing forest fires involves cutting a swath of trees and shrubs surrounding the fire area with use of an aerial saw carried by a helicopter. The swath of cut trees and shrubs is then watered down or covered by flame retardants. The aerial saw is preferably a rotary bladed one suspended horizontally from the helicopter.
Claims10
A method of containing forestry fires comprising the steps of progressively cutting a swath in trees and shrubs by an airborne saw and cutting in the potential path of the fire burning area, allowing the cut trees and shrubs to pile up in the cut swath and dropping fire quenching liquid on the swath area to further prevent movement of the fire across the swath area.
Apparatus for containing forest fires involving trees and shrubs and adapted to be carried airborne by a helicopter or the like comprising in combination,
- aerial saw means adapted to be suspended from said helicopter,
- drive means controllable from the helicopter for operating said saw,
- said saw having a rotary blade positioned substantially parallel to the ground when suspended from said helicopter, and
- the saw means being operable with said helicopter to progressively cut a swath of the trees and shrubs in the potential path of said forest fire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.