Agri-Hydrant “Bringing Farm Water to the Fire Fight!”

“I have been on numerous fires working in my bulldozer, and each time about a half mile from me was a small farm with wheel lines irrigating a crop. Why are we running to town to fill up when there is water right here?”  Thomas Traphagan

In the beginning…..

August 1st of 2009 a series of lightning storms had created small fires around Northern California.  Of particular interest was the rapidly growing fire on the Madeline Plains in Lassen County— the Dodge Complex.  This particular fire was burning close to Sunset Ranch owned by Thomas Traphagan. He was contracted by Calfire and Department of Forestry as a private hire contractor and with several developing fires he had prepared his dozer to be called to fight fire.  

After a couple of days Thomas realized he wasn’t going to be necessary to the fire fight but he had watched the rapidly growing fire and realized  he could possibly help with other resources like water.  Once he reached the camp he found the IC–(the incident commander) of the fire and told him he was a farmer with a ranch close to the incident.  Thomas asked the IC if there were any resources he was needing at that moment?  He immediately said, “I need water and I need it now!”  Somewhat assured Thomas responded, “I can help you.  Give me a couple of hours.”  

Tom’s farm was a great place to bring his idea to life. Using old farm equipment, a welder, and random pieces of metal he scrounge together the first Agri-Hydrant.   Although, it was large, bulky, and made of heavy steel the heavy apparatus he engineered together and attached to his irrigation riser was successful.  When he presented it to the Incident Commander he was impressed with the functionality of the first prototype and he immediately ordered fire fighting crews to utilize the portable hydrant to begin battling the raging wildfire within miles of Thomas’s farm.  

At this time in Thomas’s life he had 13 years experience fighting fire and he knew that fire personnel would need as much water as possible.  He told the IC he could make more models and find more farmers close to the fire incident—and he made it happen.  He provided more portable hydrants for other farms.  Fire crews were able to save valuable time filling up engines closer to the fire with water from local farms.  This demonstration of the first Agri-Hydrant taught him over 5 days that he would have no deficient effects on his own water needs for his crops.  The first hydrant was a success!   In the next few years Tom would use his prototype to assist on other fires near his ranch.  However, it would take 9 years for him to see his clunky and heavy prototype turn to the patented Agri-Hydrant you see today!

“I believe farmers and fire fighters will come together and make this hydrant extremely successful. We are all at risk when a fire is burning.   Our homes, land and everything we have worked hard for is at risk when a wildfire starts.   I knew it was crucial to have the first responders able to use the closest resource to protect civilians as well as public lands.   The Agri-Hydrant isn’t just an adapter, it is a solution to a big problem. It will make an impact on how quickly fires can be fought.” – Thomas Traphagan

The questions the patented Agri-Hydrant answers.

When I approached fire personnel I knew I had to address the big problem and that is fires need water and bigger fires need lots of water close to the fire!  I felt my Agri-Hydrant would answer 3 main complications when firefighters battled a blaze.

• First it’s typical that these wildland fires develop around small communities with limited supply for water storage. These small water systems are generally depleted in the earliest stages of a fire.  Leaving incident commanders with the need to find another water source.  Family farms in most cases surround these smaller communities.  Farms have the water pressure and volume to accommodate water needs for fire personnel

• Next I was very conscious of the mileage between the water resource and the firefight.  The main obstacle for incident commanders is the ability of finding resources capable of loading a fire truck—it is common to travel great distances to find a water resource with the ability of loading these vehicles.  When leadership has to make decisions on a water source they inevitably pass land rich with water—family farms.  These farms are typically equipped with irrigation risers.  These risers are the base for the portable Agri-Hydrant and allow the closest water resource to become an instant hydrant

• Another key point that is very important is the environmental factor.  Fire personnel are environmentally conscious when fighting fire and that calls for clean water.  My hydrant offers a reduction in the need for drafted water.   Which in turn drastically minimizes the accidental contamination from water trucks to water resources such as lakes, ponds and streams.  

• Lastly the Agri-Hydrant addresses the need to bring the closest water source to the fire but I have answered another question to make the Agri-Hydrant even more valuable!   An App capable of finding these rural farms that have the needed water resources.   I am happy to announce I have almost finished the patent and designing of the app that will pinpoint nationally all rural farm water resources for firefighters.  This App will bridge the gap between the farmer and the firefighter—making my Agri-Hydrant even more effective in helping battle wildfires.   The Agri-Hydrant and the rural water app combined offer exciting options to firefighters and farmers coming together to fight fire!

“My mission is to provide  firefighters with the ability to use the portable Agri-Hydrant at the  closest water resource–the family farm.  Along with my dedication to provide a product that will save lives and property I know the Agri-Hydrant is durable and will have a strong effect on the suppression of wildland fires—It is the only patented portable hydrant on the market.   I’m confident in the engineering and production of the Agri-Hydrant and know this unit will be an asset to combat any wildland  fire.” Thomas

Trakker Industries LLC  is grateful and pleased to bring Farm Water to the Fire Fight!  My family run business is dedicated to finding solutions to end the wildland devastation happening across the country—the Agri-Hydrant is also internationally patented and is capable of being utilized on international irrigation systems.  I am confident in the Agri-Hydrants ability to lend farmer support to fire personnel as they fight to protect us and our lands against wildland fires.