Page 8 - MFW March 2024

keep ourselves out of the way, move cars clear, prevent Cause of fire:
smoke inhalation etc. I am 95% certain that it was the ESC that failed in flight, as
evidenced by the motor failure, loss of radio, and lack of
Thankfully, it seemed like only moments before the sirens any other evidence. Several of the ESC wires were
could be heard from town. With the pros from FENZ on removed (unsoldered) yet the others remain, suggesting
the way Brother went up to the public road to guide them to this wasn't melted by the fire. The battery (which was right
the site. I called the Club President to let him know, and in beside the ESC when in the plane remained structurally
particular so he could notify the land owner (the club flies undamaged, other than some general melting of the
on a sheep farm). heatshrink wrapping and balance plug, suggesting the fire
wasn't particularly hot in this area. (Note the cause
FENZ arrived, hoses unrolled and they quickly got on top definitely wasn't a "lipo fire" has i have heard)
of it, hoses and water tanks were dispensed, and it
seemed like they had it dealt with in minutes. I was told a Subsequent to the fire:
total of 8 FENZ related vehicles came and went, making Over the following week, various club members donated
sure they had it dealt with while it was a relatively small an old trailer, a 1000L water tank, a pump and time to
issue. I understand the final size of the burnt area was assemble it. Henceforth, the club has it's own "firefighting
approximately a hectare. trailer" ready to hitch onto any towbar and drag to the
scene.
While they were doing their thing, a couple of club I personally found the small (1-2kg) fire extinguishers
stalwarts arrived on scene, as did the landowner. Some found around the place, in cars etc where not a lot of use
conversation was held around dealing with, and in this scenario (grass fire). They are relatively heavy to
preventing a reoccurrence. carry to site for the amount of extinguishant they contain,
and this is quickly dispersed when used outside on long
The remains of the model were retrieved and the Fire grass. They would have greater use if a fire started in the
Chief asked what i thought happened, and he asked pits area where the fire is likely to be restricted to the
someone to stay onsite for another hour to keep an eye on model itself, or flight box etc. The fire chief made a
things, before they departed for the next patch of smoke suggestion to me, which is to keep a cheap 20L backpack
on the horizon. Myself and one of the club members stuck sprayer in the clubhouse full and ready to go. Easy to carry
around, shooting the breeze until we felt safe to depart an to the scene, and will provide a lot more firefighting
hour to two later. capability on long grass than any extinguisher.

The landowner decided that the strip was to be closed In Conclusion:
until we had implemented some increase in fire fighting I recommend all clubs and/or model flyers, make sure
capability, which has been done. your models are flight worthy, and what you will do in
an emergency. Have the right gear and safety
procedures and know how to use them.

7