be notified prior to lighting. A permit to light a fire may be required. At the time of
the year burning or lighting a fire may be prohibited by a local bylaw, by a fire ban,
a seasonal fire restriction or by a fire regulation. Regardless of the measures you
take, fire may escape and endanger other people or damage or destroy livestock
and property. This could result in a claim for damages against you. It is a good idea
to take additional measures to be safe with the use of fire and check the weather
forecast prior to lighting.
If assisting with the control of a wild fire, you need to comply with directions of
the fire agency or fire controller. There are additional risks associated with wild
fires that usually require people to have had fire training and specific personal
equipment and protective clothing.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHTING FIRES
The Pacific Fire Lighter is designed to efficiently light fires in the open, in
vegetation and forest litter (class A fuels). Apart from the specific instruction of
how to use a Pacific Fire Lighter and the general requirements for flammable
liquids, users should follow all agency or employer instructions for use and work
practices.
Handling flammable liquids and lighting fires in some vegetation types requires
formal qualifications and needs to be closely supervised by an experienced person.
Even with due care and attention to safety, lighting fires under some circumstances
is not without risks. The risk increases where vegetation gets drier, thicker, more
difficult to walk through or when visibility is reduced. Walking through rough or
remote terrain in smoke or poor visibility with burning vegetation is generally a
very high risk.
When lighting fires in vegetation it is not a good idea to work alone. Always have a
buddy, work out an escape route should the fire you light spread faster or cut off
the path you intended to light alone. Fires you light may unexpectedly become
hazardous to yourself and others. Be prepared to take evasive action. Plan how to
light the target area and also plan how to control or extinguish any fires you light.
Spotting or fires caused by firebrands may be of additional concern in some types
of vegetation.
3. RECOMMENDED FUEL MIXING
Manufacturers of Pacific Fire Lighter, specifies that flammable liquids are used to
operate it. Personnel not experienced with flammable liquids are most at risk and
advised not to handle mixed fuel or refuel torches. Only trained and experience
people should carry out these tasks. Mixing flammable liquids need to be carried
out systematically and all safety precautions for handling flammable liquids must
be adhered to.
The specific hazards of flammable liquids are known, careless handling or incorrect
mixtures or mixing will cause serious accidents. Smaller fuel containers like Jerry
cans have “fill line” for a given capacity, where as larger containers such as 200
litre drums do not – in all instances do not overfill, allow space for expansion. All
mixing of fuel or transfer into fuel containers is to be carried out in a safe outdoor
location, well away from flames, sparks or embers. Keep clear of all electrical
equipment that could cause a spark. Be aware to keep away from all wind blown
embers. Do not smoke. If there is danger or static electricity present, bond and
earth containers prior to opening. Where an agency or employer has specific
Pacific Fire Lighter MKII
Instruction and Safety Manual
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