How Wildfire Mitigation Programs Use Air Burners for Safer Fuel Reduction

Wildfire Risk Is Rising — and Fuel Loads Are the Biggest Variable We Can Control Wildfires are growing larger, hotter, and more destructive each year. Drier conditions, rising temperatures, and decades of accumulated vegetative debris have created dangerous fuel loads across millions of acres nationwide. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that more than 80 million acres in the United States are currently at high risk for severe wildfire.

Fuel reduction programs — removing combustible material before it ignites — are among the most effective tools agencies have to reduce wildfire severity. However, traditional disposal methods such as open burning, hauling, or chipping often introduce new environmental, regulatory, and operational challenges.

That’s where Air Burners’ air curtain burner technology comes in.

These systems allow agencies to eliminate collected forest debris on site, safely and efficiently, while supporting wildfire fuel reduction with dramatically lower emissions than open burning.

The Limitations of Traditional Fuel Reduction Methods

1. Open Pile Burning Creates Smoke Hazards

Open burning remains common in wildfire mitigation, but it is also one of the most polluting disposal methods when compared to air curtain burner systems.

Incomplete combustion releases:

  • Heavy smoke
  • Fine particulate matter (PM)
  • Black carbon

These emissions affect nearby communities, firefighters, and regional air quality. As smoke management rules tighten, many states are restricting burn windows — causing project delays and increasing mitigation costs.

2. Chipping and Hauling Are Costly — and Often Counterproductive

Chipping reduces debris size, but it does not eliminate fuel loads. The material still remains on site, often forming dense chip piles or windrows that dry quickly, retain heat, and can increase fire risk. Once ignited, these piles can smolder for extended periods, creating lingering smoke hazards rather than removing wildfire risk.

Hauling debris out of forests introduces additional challenges:

  • High transportation and fuel costs
  • Increased diesel emissions
  • Roadway wear and safety concerns
  • Logistical limitations in remote terrain

For many fire districts and land managers, hauling simply isn’t feasible.

3. Air Quality Regulations Are Tightening

Across the U.S., agencies face stricter PM2.5 limits, burn bans, and smoke management requirements. Traditional burning methods are increasingly difficult to justify while still meeting air quality expectations.

Air Burners: A Cleaner, Proven Solution for Wildfire Fuel Reduction

Air Burners provide a controlled combustion method that eliminates forest debris on site with up to 97% less visible smoke compared to open pile burning.

How Air Burners Work

A high-velocity curtain of air forms a powerful barrier over an insulated firebox. This air curtain captures smoke and particulates and forces them back into the combustion zone, where temperatures exceed 1,800°F and material is fully burned instead of released into the atmosphere.

The result is clean, efficient, low-emission combustion with minimal visible smoke and up to 98% volume reduction, making air curtain burners well suited for wildfire mitigation and fuels-reduction projects.

Why Wildfire Mitigation Teams Rely on Air Burners

1. On-Site Fuel Reduction

No hauling. No delays. No additional equipment. Wood waste is eliminated at the source, reducing project timelines, costs, and logistical complexity.

2. EPA-Recognized Technology

Air Burners are recognized by the EPA as a cleaner alternative to open burning and may qualify as Best Available Control Technology (BACT), depending on site-specific permitting requirements.

3. Deployable in Remote Terrain

Compact, mobile units like the BurnBoss® air curtain burner can be transported by pickup, tractor, trailer, or skid-steer into areas inaccessible to trucks or grinders.

4. Reduced Smoke — Critical Near Communities

Controlled combustion significantly reduces visible smoke, helping limit public complaints while improving visibility and safety for mitigation crews.

5. Scalable for State and Federal Programs

High-capacity S-Series FireBoxes support large-scale wildfire mitigation operations, including:

Real-World Momentum: Agencies Are Actively Procuring Air Curtain Burner Services

Air curtain burner technology is increasingly incorporated into state and federal wildfire mitigation planning, and recent public-sector procurements show adoption is accelerating.

Customer stories

Recent Example: New York State Air Curtain Burner Bid

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) recently issued Bid #C003792 – Air Curtain Burner Service for Napeague State Park.

The solicitation seeks contractors to provide air curtain burner services specifically for fuel reduction and safe wood-waste disposal in a wildfire-prone region of Long Island.

This procurement reflects a broader shift:

  • States are moving away from traditional open burning
  • Agencies are prioritizing cleaner, controlled combustion methods
  • Air curtain burners are becoming standard tools within wildfire mitigation programs

Similar trends are already underway across Western states, federal land agencies, tribal nations, and private wildfire mitigation contractors.

Where Air Burners Fit in Wildfire Mitigation

Fuel Break Construction

Safely eliminates slash generated during mechanical thinning and fuels-reduction projects.

Post-Fire Cleanup

Reduces hazardous debris following wildfire events, supporting faster site recovery.

Prescribed Fire Support

Used alongside planned ignitions to lower smoke output and improve burn control.

Remote Fuel Reduction Operations

Allows efficient biomass elimination in rugged or inaccessible terrain where hauling or grinding is impractical.

Case Example

A Northern California fire district deployed multiple BurnBoss® units across steep-slope thinning projects. Operating in parallel, the units eliminated large volumes of slash on site, significantly reducing smoke drift into nearby communities and eliminating the need for hauling — resulting in major cost and time savings.

Environmental Advantages for Wildfire Mitigation Programs

Lower Emissions During Fuel Reduction

Independent studies show Air Burners produce significantly lower particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and black carbon compared to open burning.

Learn more about the environmental benefits

Reduced Carbon Footprint of Mitigation Operations

On-site disposal eliminates hauling, cutting diesel use and reducing emissions tied to wildfire prevention work.

Cleaner, Controlled Combustion in Sensitive Areas

Consistent, high-temperature combustion keeps smoke and particulates in the burn chamber, allowing mitigation work closer to communities, infrastructure, and protected lands.

Economic & Operational Benefits for Fire Agencies

  • Eliminates hauling and tipping fees associated with fuel reduction debris
  • Reduces labor requirements and overall project costs
  • Provides predictable, continuous on-site processing
  • Often pays for itself within the first year of wildfire mitigation use

For budget-constrained fire districts and land management agencies, Air Burners deliver both environmental responsibility and measurable cost savings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Burners in Wildfire Mitigation

What is an air curtain burner?

An air curtain burner is a controlled combustion system that uses a high-velocity curtain of air over an insulated firebox to trap smoke and particulate matter and force it back into the combustion zone, reducing visible smoke compared to open burning.

How do air curtain burners help reduce wildfire risk?

Air curtain burners eliminate forest slash and woody debris on site, reducing fuel loads before fire season. This supports proactive wildfire mitigation without the added emissions and costs associated with hauling or open pile burning.

Are air curtain burners cleaner than open burning?

Compared to open burning, air curtain burners are designed to promote more complete combustion, which can significantly reduce visible smoke and certain emissions depending on operating conditions and feedstock.

Where are air curtain burners used in wildfire mitigation?

They are commonly used for fuel break construction, mechanical thinning projects, prescribed fire support, post-fire cleanup, and remote fuels-reduction operations.

Can air curtain burners be used in remote terrain?

Yes. Portable models like the BurnBoss® can be transported by pickup, trailer, tractor, or skid-steer, making them effective in rugged or hard-to-access areas.

Do air curtain burners require permits?

Permitting requirements vary by jurisdiction. Most wildfire mitigation projects coordinate with state or local air authorities and fire officials to confirm operating conditions, setbacks, and any required notifications or permits.

A Cleaner Path to Wildfire Prevention

As wildfire risk continues to rise, modern mitigation programs need tools that reduce fuel loads without worsening air quality or straining budgets. Air Burners allow agencies to:

  • Reduce fuel loads safely
  • Operate within air quality limits
  • Lower operational costs
  • Protect nearby communities and ecosystems

From state parks and federal fuel breaks to tribal fire programs, Air Burners are becoming a cornerstone technology for safer, more effective wildfire prevention.

Explore Air Burners® Solutions

S-Series FireBoxes — high-capacity systems for large-scale wildfire mitigation

BurnBoss® — portable, field-ready units for remote fuel reduction operations

For guidance on selecting the right air curtain burner for wildfire mitigation, contact Air Burners.