Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Burning winter cat tails

Is there any experience or advice about burning a large stand of dead cat tail leaves in the winter?

A 2 1/2 gal pump us sprayer filled with 2/3 to 3/4 diesel and the remainder gasoline will help you "move" the fire if it doesn't get all of them. Burn on a day with no wind, or on a day where the wind direction isn't supposed to change and it's blowing towards the pond. Even so, I wouldn't burn on a day where the wind is much over 8 mph or so.

If the ground isn't snow covered, I'd also have another 2 1/2 gal pump up sprayer filled with water to put out any fires that might start where you don't want 'em. Shovel and rakes on hand there at the burn too. Cell phone in pocket.

When we do controlled burns we use a driptorch with the same gasoline:diesel ratio Esshup describes. In addition to the above safety measures we also have fire flappers at the ready.

Also using a leaf blower is a good way to create a fire break and put out small flames in areas where they shouldn't be.

I keep a wet broom handy stocked in a bucket of water. I have never met something more effective at squashing a fire apart from when you really need one to start.

Not sure I would burn if it is as dry in down there in Texas as it is Oklahoma currently.