Aerial Ignition (Heli Torch) uses what mixture?

• A. Gas mixed with soap forms a jelly
• B. Ping pong balls containing potassium permanganate injected with ethylene glycol
• C. Pillows of diesel fuel
• D. Water and foam

Answer: (A)

Aerial ignition from a helicopter uses gelled fuel, specifically gasoline thickened into a jelly so it sticks to vegetation and burns steadily after being dropped. This gel is created by adding a thickening agent such as soap, which turns the gasoline into a sticky, viscous form that stays in place rather than running off. This stickiness and longer burn time are essential for reliably igniting the target area from above.

The other described mixtures aren’t used for this purpose. A crude incendiary idea involving permanganate on ping-pong balls is not how aerial ignition is performed. Relying on pillows of diesel fuel wouldn’t provide the controlled, adherent burn needed for prescribed fires. Water and foam wouldn’t burn, so they wouldn’t achieve ignition from the air.