Drip Torches: What, Why & How They Are Used in Firefighting

A drip torch is a portable ignition device used in prescribed burning, backfiring, and land management across Australia. Learn what drip torches are, why firefighters rely on them, and how to use one safely.

What Is a Drip Torch?

A drip torch is a portable, handheld ignition device used in wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, and land management across Australia. It works by dripping flaming fuel onto vegetation to start fires in a deliberate, precise, and controlled manner — making it one of the most trusted tools in the firefighting industry.

The tool consists of a lightweight aluminium canister and handle, a built-in fuel trap to prevent flashback, an air breather valve to control fuel flow, and a wick that maintains a small constant flame.

Why Are Drip Torches Used?

It might seem counterintuitive to start fires in order to fight them — but in Australia's fire-prone landscape, strategic ignition is one of the most effective risk reduction tools available. Firefighters and land managers rely on drip torches for:

• Prescribed / hazard reduction burning

• Backfiring to halt advancing bushfires

• Creating continuous fire lines

• Agricultural firebreaks

• Roadside vegetation management

• Cane burning and brush disposal

The key advantage over alternatives like matches or dragged oil rags is the ability to create a continuous, unbroken fire line quickly. Gaps or skips in a burn line can cause dangerous re-ignition later in areas already thought to be controlled. Victoria's DELWP, the NT's Bushfires agency, and Rural Fire Services across Australia all list drip torches as standard equipment for planned burn operations.

How to Use a Drip Torch: Key Steps

1. Inspect Before Use — Check the canister, wand, wick, and valve for damage. Never mix components from different manufacturers — parts are not interchangeable.

2. Fill to 75% and Configure — Move the discharge plug to operational mode. Open the breather valve to allow fuel flow and adjust to desired drip rate.

3. Ignite the Wick — Pour a small amount of fuel onto leaf litter, light it with a lighter, then dip the wick in. Hold the torch by the handle only — keep the wand angled toward the ground.

4. Walk the Fire Line — Move steadily, dripping fuel to create a continuous burn line. Tilt the spout upward to pause ignition. Never blow out the wick — smother it with a glove or cover to extinguish safely.

5. Exit and Store Safely — Extinguish the wick fully before crossing any firebreak. After use, invert the spout into storage position, close the valve, and empty remaining fuel into an approved container.

Drip Torch Safety Essentials for Australian Operators

• Always identify an escape route before lighting any fire

• Never operate alone — have a water suppression crew on standby

• Wear full fire-resistant PPE (Nomex or equivalent), gloves, and helmet

• Obtain a burn permit from your local RFS, CFA, or fire authority before any burn

• Only trained personnel should operate drip torches

• Monitor weather continuously — wind shifts can rapidly turn a controlled burn dangerous

At Papillon Australia, we stock professional fire management equipment designed and tested for Australian conditions. Whether you're a Rural Fire Brigade volunteer, a farmer, or a professional land manager, we can help you find the right drip torch for your needs. Browse our fire equipment range to get started.