Laser Ignition Device and Its Application to Forestry, Fire and Land Management

Michael D. Waterworth

Treesearch

Laser Ignition Device and Its Application to Forestry, Fire and Land Management

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael D. Waterworth

Year:

1987

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

In: Davis, James B.; Martin, Robert E., technical coordinators. 1987. Proceedings of the Symposium on Wildland Fire 2000, April 27-30, 1987, South Lake Tahoe, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-101. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 182-186

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Abstract

A laser ignition device for controlled burning of forest logging slash has been developed and successfully tested. The device, which uses a kilowatt class carbon dioxide laser, operates at distances of 50 to 1500 meters. Acquisition and focus control are achieved by the use of a laser rangefinder and acquisition telescope. Additional uses for the device include back burning, selected undergrowth removal, safe ignition of oil spills, and deicing. A truck mounted version will be operational by fall 1987 and an airborne version by summer 1988.

Parent Publication

Proceedings of the symposium on wildland fire 2000; April 27-30, 1987; South Lake Tahoe, California

Citation

Waterworth, Michael D. 1987. Laser Ignition Device and Its Application to Forestry, Fire and Land Management. In: Davis, James B.; Martin, Robert E., technical coordinators. 1987. Proceedings of the Symposium on Wildland Fire 2000, April 27-30, 1987, South Lake Tahoe, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-101. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 182-186