Elko explosive identified as wildfire device
Elko explosive identified as wildfire device
20 October 2005
published by www.krnv.com
ELKO — The device that caused a small explosion and fire over the weekend in a parking lot near Mountain View School in Elko has been identified as a wildland fire fighting device.
According to Elko Fire Chief Alan Kightlinger, it’s hand-held and tossed by wildland firefighters into vegetation along a control line to use fire against fire.
Elko Police Chief Mike Smith says his officers found three of the devices in the area and they believe it is similar to the one that burned in the school parking lot Sunday night. He says the devices can be disposed of fairly easily, but should not be used for entertainment.
Kightlinger says the devices were widely used from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s before being replaced by such firefighting tools such as drip torches, flare pistols and flame throwers.
