Clear the path, stop the fire with accelerated speed powered by the Stihl BR700 and BR800 backpack blowers

Clear the path, stop the fire with accelerated speed powered by the Stihl BR700 and BR800 backpack blowers

As cosy nights and warm drinks become the norm this South African winter, we face a critical, less welcome seasonal threat: wildfires. Dry air, dormant vegetation, and fierce winds turn harmless debris into explosive fuel, making proactive fire management vital. For swift, efficient firebreak creation and clearing, the Stihl BR 700 and BR 800 petrol backpack blowers aren't merely tools; they offer a critical lifeline in fire prevention.

Why the Stihl BR 700 backpack blower for fire management? You might be thinking, “A blower for firefighting? Isn’t that what water is for?” And you’d be right, to a degree. Water remains the primary weapon against active flames. However, effective fire management isn’t just about putting out fires; it’s about preventing them, containing them and managing their spread. And that’s precisely where the BR 700 and the BR 800 truly shine.

Imagine a massive area of dry veld littered with fallen leaves, twigs and dried grass, often the perfect condition for a wildfire. Manually clearing a firebreak in such conditions is an immense task. It’s labour-intensive, slow and incredibly tiring; every minute counts when fire is a threat. The Stihl BR 700 and BR 800 are where a high-performance backpack blower’s sheer power and efficiency come into effect, with a four-Mix engine that combines speed, energy and increased fuel efficiency. Unlike the two-stroke, it offers benefits without compromises, such as noise reduction through the antivibration system.

Although both impressive, the BR 800 has 20 percent more performing power than the BR 700, with an air velocity average of 320km/h and a maximum air velocity of 385km/h. It is essentially the ‘big brother’ of the BR 700, with the same capabilities but offering more: more powerful performance, practicality and convenience!

The BR 700, on the other hand, is a robust, reliable blower for tackling challenging environments. Its impressive blowing force quickly clears firebreaks, pushing aside potentially flammable dry material and debris with remarkable speed. It can also extinguish very low-intensity fires or smouldering sparks along the edge of the burn area. Directing a strong blast of air can separate burning material from unburnt fuel or restrain small flames by removing oxygen.

The BR 700's multi-function control handle also offers effortless, one-handed operation. All crucial functions, from throttle to stop, are integrated into your grip, freeing your other hand for tasks, improving balance and reducing fatigue during long shifts. This leading engineering, combined with generously wide, adjustable shoulder straps and a supportive hip belt, ensures comfort and precise control for diverse body types.

Fire management teams can establish or expand firelines more rapidly than manual methods. Consider a team of individuals with rakes and hoes vs. a single operator with a powerful blower effortlessly directing a stream of air to clear a wide path. The difference in speed and efficiency is impressive.

Beyond just clearing firebreaks, the BR 700 proves invaluable in those hard-to-reach places, such as steep inclines, dense undergrowth, or areas with uneven terrain that often pose significant challenges for traditional clearing methods. The backpack design of the BR 700 allows operators to navigate these difficult areas with relative ease, directing the powerful air blast precisely where it’s needed. This easy-to-use design also significantly reduces user fatigue, a crucial factor when operators work physically for extended periods in demanding conditions. Compared to the strain of swinging hand tools, the comfortable fit and excellent power-to-weight ratio of the BR 700 make a real difference to operator endurance and effectiveness.

Blowers offer significant, often overlooked, benefits in fire management. They reduce reliance on scarce water by efficiently clearing fuel, minimising the need for wet lines and conserving water for direct suppression. Beyond debris clearing, high-powered blowers can also cool and dilute flammable gases during active fires, disrupting propagation and slowing spread. While not a standalone tool, their role in mitigating gas spread and cooling hotspots makes them an asset for trained professionals.

Standout features of the BR700 blower

Often overlooked yet incredibly vital for anyone spending hours with a backpack blower, the tool-free handle position adjustment on the Stihl BR 700 is essential. This clever design lets you quickly and easily adapts the blower tube’s handle to your height and preference. This personalised fit means significantly less strain on your back and arms, allowing for more comfortable operation and considerably reducing tiredness over extended working periods. This thoughtful engineering transforms demanding tasks into more pleasant, sustainable work, ensuring you can perform at your best for longer.

Additional worth knowing benefits

The Stihl BR 700 features an adjustable blower tube, a thoughtful design element that significantly enhances user comfort and versatility. With the push of a button, operators can quickly and easily extend or retract the tube, adapting it perfectly to their height or the specific demands of the task, clearing wide, open spaces or manoeuvring in more confined areas. This tool-free adjustability ensures optimal ergonomics and efficiency for every user.

Maximise your blowers’ capabilities with our accessories

Got a large area to clear?Increase the efficiency of the Stihl BR 700 or BR 800 backpack blower with the curved Stihl flat nozzle. This innovative accessory easily attaches to your blower tube, transforming its powerful airstream into a wide, fanned blast perfect for tackling expansive, flat surfaces.

Stay safe this winter wildfire season

The threat of fire looms larger in winter, making the Stihl BR 700 or 800 petrol backpack blowers must-have tools. By embracing control tools like the BR 700, fire management professionals can work faster, safer and more effectively. It’s about proactive prevention, rapid response and intelligent management, all made significantly easier with the reliable power of Stihl.