Wildland firefighters use drip torches primarily for setting controlled or prescribed burns, a technique known as fireline construction or backburning. The purpose of these controlled fires is to reduce fuel loads, create defensible space around structures, or contain a larger wildfire by eliminating combustible material that could otherwise fuel the fire.

Here’s how a drip torch works and why it’s important:

1. Ignition Control: The drip torch is a hand-held tool that delivers a slow, controlled stream of burning fuel (usually a mixture of gasoline and oil) onto the ground. This helps create firelines—strategic barriers that stop or slow the progress of wildfires.
2. Effective for Fire Suppression: The controlled burns started by drip torches allow firefighters to manage the direction and spread of fire, preventing it from getting out of control or spreading to unwanted areas.
3. Creating Fuel Breaks: By setting a fire ahead of the main blaze, firefighters can burn off potential fuel, such as dry brush or trees, creating a fuel break where the wildfire will have nothing left to burn. This tactic is crucial in controlling or containing wildfires.
4. Efficient Tool: Drip torches are relatively lightweight, portable, and designed to be used in rugged environments, making them ideal for wildland firefighting, especially in remote areas where larger equipment can't reach.
5. Precision and Safety: The design of a drip torch allows the user to control the flow of fuel, providing precision in how and where the fire is started. This minimizes the risk of unintentional spreading of fire, which could be dangerous to firefighters or the environment.

In summary, drip torches are essential tools for wildland firefighters to deliberately set fires under controlled conditions to prevent or manage larger, more unpredictable wildfires.