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Commissioners approve purchase of two air-curtain burners to speed vegetation disposal
Summary
Parker County authorized buying two air-curtain burners (vendor quote $204,867 each) to process storm vegetation more quickly; commissioners discussed siting, unloading (units weigh ~40,000 lbs) and using the equipment at convenience centers.
Parker County Commissioners voted to purchase two air-curtain burners to process storm-generated vegetative debris and reduce wildfire risk from large open piles.
County staff identified a GSA-sourced vendor with units that can be delivered in two-to-three weeks. Staff reported a vendor quote of $204,867 per unit and explained the devices burn more efficiently than open piles, producing fewer embers and less smoke; one county official noted some models process material up to 10'15 times faster.
Commissioners discussed logistics before the vote: units weigh roughly 40,000 pounds, which will require specialized unloading equipment or a crane, and siting must account for set-back distances and transmission lines. Several commissioners recommended purchasing now and housing the units temporarily at precinct convenience centers, then transferring to long-term locations for routine brush management.
The court authorized purchase of one burner for the north convenience center and one for the south convenience center (south unit to be located at Precinct 2 for a short period), and recorded the motion as carried 5-0. Staff said the cost can be covered using the recently approved fund transfer and precinct contingency where appropriate.
Officials also instructed staff to consider long-term transport and storage costs, and to include trailer or equipment needs in upcoming budget planning.
