REPORT / PONSSE FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT
FOREST MACHINES HELP FIGHT
WILDFIRES Ponsse’s firefighting equipment, installed in the load space of a PONSSE forwarder, has been engaged in real firefighting work in the Unites States and Finland. The equipment’s excellent terrain properties and effective extinguishing ability in difficult conditions have made a great impression on professionals.
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One of the advantages of the PONSSE Firefighting equipment installed in forwarders is that it helps to reach locations that are inaccessible by other firefighting equipment.
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ncreasing forest fires and their associated carbon dioxide emissions have serious consequences for climate change. The carbon dioxide emissions of forest fires are significant: the carbon stored in vegetation is released into the air, and the increased concentration of carbon dioxide is absorbed by oceans and vegetation. The increased carbon dioxide levels have global consequences, even though the combustion gases and particles mostly affect local air quality. Wildfires usually happen far from roads, so it may be time-consuming or even impossible for fire trucks to reach them. Using forest machines to contain and extinguish fires saves time and effort compared to manual work done by firefighters. At the end of 2020, Ponsse launched firefighting equipment that can be installed in the load space of a forwarder, and it has already been delivered to Chile, Brazil, Germany, Russia, the USA and Finland.
FIRST US FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT DELIVERY GOES TO MILLER TIMBER SERVICES
The firefighting equipment has already seen action in the US, as Miller Timber
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PONSSE’S FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT PERFORMED WELL IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. - Lee Miller
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Services assisted the Idaho Department of Lands in stopping wildfires that were threatening the timber producing lands in Northern Idaho USA. “Ponsse’s firefighting equipment performed well in heavy timber and difficult terrain. It can bring a lot of water to a area inaccessible by traditional wildfire equipment. The Ponsse firefighting equipment forwarder cabin provides protection from falling trees and snags, one of the leading cause of wild land firefighter deaths” says Lee Miller, CEO of Miller Timber Services. “We used the firefighting equipment to hold a active burning fire lines and then to put out the fire along with mopping up hot spots. We have only had the equipment for a short time and fire managers are still learning how to utilize it but it is safe to say the product is a success and will change the way wild land fires are fought in the western US. When using forest machines fewer personnel are need on the ground lowering the exposer to injury or death”, says Miller.
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