Plantation Fire

We had a plantation fire on September. Had never even dream of this happening to us, but it did.
We were suppose to go into Parcel 2 to do some weed management. Started to have a bad feeling since morning. As we reached Parcel 2, our access road was blocked by the bulldozer, that is clearing some of our land and our neighbor's. As our pump and water tanks are arranged in the pick-up truck, we couldn't proceed to do our work. We waited till about 10.00 a.m. yet the bulldozer driver did not arrived. We figure that they may be off for the day. We cleared the entrance to Parcel 3with parangs, then proceed back to Parcel 1. We took an early lunch break as it was already 11.30 a.m.

Was figuring since we were already at our plantation which is 29 km from town, might as well do some work before we head back to town. Decided to break up into two teams in Parcel 3, send 1 team to clear off some bushes on the slope and 1 team to fill up the water tank so that we can use the water to do weed management. I was with the team filling water. After we did 1 run and as we were going down hill to fill water at the stream, we saw some heavy smoke close to the area where the other team was suppose to clear. As we were approaching, one of our helpers requested us to bring some water to the fire area. We immediately rushed down to the stream and set up to pump water.

Unfortunately the water pump could not start. Took me about 15 minutes to trouble shoot and rectify. The fault was due to the loosed plug head connector. This may had got loosed as we sped down the hill and also the carburetor of the water pump had over flow. Got the pump started and rush back to the fire area. One of our neighbor had came to help. We immediately set up our pump and got to work. Initially all of us are stunned and did not know what to do.  After a short while, we accessed the situation and decided to start with the left and we were banking on the access road on the right as well as top of the hill, which we hope shall act as a barrier to stop the spreading. The fire was spreading fast and wide, due to the wind, which was changing direction a couple of times.

The fire was fueled by the dried up weeds and bushes. We could not get very close. We then adjusted our high pressure to pump at a very high pressure so that we can spray at a distance. We manage to control the fire and decided to move to the right, the access road. As the fire was about to subside, the wind changed direct again and the initial spot was back on fire again. We rush back and put out the fire. This time we dosed the the area and also try to fully clear off the flame as the fire was under control on the right due to the road acting as a fire barrier.

Finally we finish off the left and move back to the right to clear off the remaining flame. The fire had subsided as it had ran out of fuel to burn. We also tried to put out the flame, burning underground, due to the buried wood.

As the day was getting dark, we had to call it a day. Left 2 of our helpers over night on site to monitor the flame.

The aftermath of the plantation fire.

Went in to check a 3 days latter. Seems to have subsided. A rough estimate counts about 460 trees affected.
 Went to inspect the tress closely and find that the tress did not burn up, but experienced flash burn and the leaves burnt up. I think the trunks are still okay and hope that they can rejuvenate.






Shall have another inspection on the burnt area soon, as I had just came back from my vacation. Stay tune for more updates.