{"id":2538,"date":"2025-09-10T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/westtexasrangelands\/?p=2538"},"modified":"2025-09-10T00:25:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T00:25:16","slug":"lessons-learned-gas-polyurethane-line-ignited-by-wildfire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/westtexasrangelands\/lessons-learned-gas-polyurethane-line-ignited-by-wildfire\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Learned – Gas Polyurethane Line Ignited by Wildfire"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Picture<\/a>On July 17, 2025, a rapidly growing brush and grass fire broke out in the steep slopes of Cottonwood Flats, near the community of Rulison, Colorado. This area is known for its oil and gas infrastructure, and fire resources are regularly briefed on the presence of these operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The wildfire’s east side saw the most growth. However, the majority of the oil and gas infrastructure was located on the fire’s northwest flank, where it experienced lower-intensity backing and flanking fire. Two above-ground natural gas lines were near the heel of the fire, one steel and the other a “FlexSteel” pipe. According to local fire and oil and gas personnel, most gas lines are typically buried underground.<\/span><\/p>\n

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FlexSteel pipes are commonly used for petroleum transportation and have a good safety record. However, they are designed to withstand a maximum heat of only 185\u00b0F. When the wildfire’s high temperatures reached the FlexSteel pipe, its outer polyurethane melted away, exposing the steel core. This caused a natural gas leak, which then ignited, leading to a gas line fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pictures<\/a><\/p>\n

Lessons for Firefighters and the Community<\/b><\/h3>\n

This incident offers critical lessons for wildland firefighters and communities living near oil and gas infrastructure. Surface pipes, in particular, pose several safety problems for firefighters.<\/span><\/p>\n