Fire Line Explosive equipment and Fire Line Explosives (pink tubing)

The Yellowstone suppression organization utilizes blasting techniques for two purposes. The first and foremost is to create fireline. Given the remote wilderness setting provided by the park, it can be logistically difficult and expensive to support large numbers of firefighters. Water gel explosives are an efficient method of creating large amounts of fireline with only the fraction of personnel required to implement other fire suppression methods.

The second use of blasting is to accomplish a variety of management objectives not directly linked to fire. Such projects might include rock fall management along roads or carcass removal from backcountry use areas to prevent grizzly bear confrontations. The same basic safety and operational techniques are required for all applications. Therefore each use provides training opportunities and continuing education for all others.