Professionals from nine countries gather to share wildfire management practices

In November 2024, Vallfirest participated in the EU Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) in Alto Minho, Portugal.

According to Vallfirest, the event attracted over 45 professionals from nine countries, including Portugal, Spain, the United States, Germany, and Brazil.

The gathering aimed to exchange knowledge and practices in wildfire management.

During the event, Vallfirest demonstrated its Dronster remote-controlled forestry mulcher and introduced a new experimental burner device mounted on a DJI Agriculture drone.

Demonstrating the Dronster’s capabilities

Vallfirest presented the Dronster as a versatile tool for wildfire management.

The device operates at a constant speed, aiding in tasks like creating defence lines and managing fire perimeters.

Its applications extend to structural and industrial fires and hazardous chemical environments.

Equipped with a Hatz 59 HP engine and designed to navigate steep slopes and dense vegetation, the Dronster ensures safety through a remote control system that operates from distances up to 150 metres.

Testing a drone-mounted burner prototype

During the event, Vallfirest also introduced an experimental burner prototype mounted on a DJI drone.

This device is designed to support prescribed burns by performing controlled ignitions from the air.

The burner offers benefits such as reducing risk to personnel, enabling precise ignitions in inaccessible areas, and complementing traditional methods of wildfire management.

Integrating technology and traditional practices

The EU TREX event highlighted the importance of combining innovative technology with established fire management strategies.

Vallfirest’s contributions aimed to demonstrate how modern tools like the Dronster and drone-mounted burner can enhance safety and effectiveness in addressing wildfire challenges.

Vallfirest showcases wildfire innovations at EU TREX 2024: Summary

Vallfirest participated in the EU Prescribed Fire Training Exchange in Portugal, showcasing its Dronster forestry mulcher and testing a new burner prototype on a DJI Agriculture drone.

The Dronster demonstrated its effectiveness in fire management tasks, while the drone-mounted burner highlighted potential for aerial controlled burns.

Vallfirest’s efforts at the event emphasised integrating technology and traditional methods to improve wildfire management.