Lessons Learned at Bamboo Fire

About 1600 on EasterSunday 2023, the Lone Oak Fire Department received a call fora field/grass fire. Firefighters responded with the qui ck attack truck, with a pumperforextra water. Upon arrival firefighters discovered a structure fire, and added a ladder, anotherpumperand automatic aid from Concord Fire to the call. The Quick Attack Truck got to the house and drove to the backyard to find a grove of bamboo on fire. As he ran out of waterthe first pumper arrived and pulled two cross lays. The othertwo trucks arrived and pulled anothercross lay. There were three residences with back yards on fire from the bamboo. There were tiny explosions going off the entire time and the smoke was so thick crews donned SCBAs to fight the fire. The heat was so intense it melted siding on two of the houses. The small explosions were from the airbeing trapped in the hollow parts of the bamboo and expanding from the heat and exploding. Bamboo is very flammable and burns very hot. It also has compounds in it that are highly flammable. Its ignition temperature is 509 F. and when it is burning ,the fumes are toxic and contain heavy metals. We had never fought a bamboo fire so it was a learning experience, and we would like to warn otherfirefighters about the dangers of bamboo fires.

- Submitted by Debbie Peck, Assistant Chief