Fire management at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Fire management at Lassen Volcanic National Park

We took our Wildland Fire Module to Lassen Volcanic National Park in August for a wildland fire for resource benefit (1600 acres when it was all said and done). The fire was located in the wilderness and, as such, many of the traditional fire tools were not allowed. Our ten-person module utilized the large volume backpacks to haul in everything we would need for a 14-day assignment in the backcountry. That included food for seven days, bivy sacks, sleeping bags, EMT equipment, clothing, fire management gear (45 lbs worth), and items like chainsaws, chainsaw fuel and oil, and hi-tech equipment. The average pack weighed 80 lbs and some spiked at nearly 95 lbs. We hiked in six miles to our base camp at Lower Twin Lake at Lassen NP. When that much gear is necessary and expectations are to stay in the bush for 14 days and be self-sufficient, you look to cut corners anywhere you can with regards to weight. Your Jetboil systems allowed us to do that. We cooked in pairs and the freeze dried food we took in allowed us to make it the entire duration. The cooking is quick and easy - and the fellas loved it! Your stoves allow us the luxury of implementing such a strategy, which keeps impact to our wilderness minimal and ultimately keeps total cost on any given fire substantially lower than when helicopters and other medians are used. Thank you so much for your support! Matt Dutton Fire Operations Specialist Rocky Mountain National Park