Bushfire Solutions Tasmania

28/10/2026

Introducing: The Tas Rake.

​Years in development. Shaped by discussions at stations, firegrounds, and watering holes across Tasmania. Built with support, feedback, and encouragement from every corner of the state.

​At a time when Australian manufacturing faces challenges, local craftspeople have come together to help make this vision a reality. Sincere thanks to everyone who helped solve problems and turn this tool into a finished product.

​The Specs & Craftsmanship:

​Custom Water-Cut Head: Crafted by Ian at Esk Ridge Metalworks out of 3mm Australian tool steel featuring our iconic Tassie map profile. Built tough enough to chop roots, turn logs, and clear culverts—and packed with no less than three "natural" bottle openers for when the job is done.

​Hand-Dollied Custom Socket: Fully welded 3mm socket paired with a tapered handle joint, hand-shaped at Roy’s Custom Fabrication. This design provides maximum control and strength—no cheap straight-pipe fittings to snap handles or rivets to fail.

1300mm ​Tasmanian Bluegum Handle: Premium straight-grain timber hand-milled in the Huon by Matt at Captains Timber & Boat Building, then hand-turned by master hafter Chris Hadley at Van Diemen Axe Handles. Designed with a palm grip and natural spring that you have to feel to appreciate.

​You could buy a generic rakehoe from a big-box store for $90, watch it bend, rust, jar your joints, and fall apart in two years.
Or you can invest in a tool made in Tasmania, for Tasmanians—one that’s a pleasure to use and built to hand down.

Cost:
$225 per rake
$200 with the purchase of any BST fire unit
$250 for (limited) custom lettering to replace "Tas Rake", to ID your brigade, farm or fire unit.
Delivery by negotiation.

​📩 Interested in ordering? Send a direct message or comment below to secure yours!

10/10/2026

The fleet manager approves our new crane install on our custom flat deck transport trailer (he LOVES trailers!)
Solid work as always with custom steel plating from our mates at Roys Custom Fabrication and Welding.

This addition allows us to unload skid units directly onto your trailer, ute or platform, particualry if you dont have a machine onsite to lift.

Statewide delivery to every gorgeous corner of this island is always possible and we can help logistics to the little islands too!

Busy on the tools lately with a few trailer and skid builds rolling out of the workshop.

Double check your recent burns are out with spring winds and some dry air peaking again over the next few days. Lower than usual soil moisture in many areas are keeping heavy fuels smouldering for weeks.

25/09/2026

Congratulations to the award winners of The XPrize Wildfire Competition!

Four years of solid work and innovation has come so far in such a short period of time.
Special hi-fives for Fire Forsight, who have already achieved so much here at home with Tassie's world leading autonomous camera detection network championed by STT. Coupled with the PWS RECCE camera network and TFS cross agency software platforms, Tasmania is absolutely punching above in wildfire detection and coordination.

When we started this journey, autonomous drone navigation was not possible.
Now you can order a coffee in Sydney (and sadly a bomb in some parts of the world) with individual drone systems navigating through smoke, weather and tree canopy to deliver a payload without any human intervention.

Soon you won't need to request a Bambi bucket via radio, it will be working on site automatically before your arrival, launched from a nearby tower as soon as lightning hits the tree, holding fire in an incipient stage while you pull on your PPC!

Human piloted aircraft will not be replaced any time soon and I hold a massive respect for many of our highly skilled firefighters in the sky.
Pilots have saved the line and life many a time with thier fast and accurate human decision making and priortisation.
The ability for these drones to work with manned systems all night, behind lightning storms and on the most dangerous firefronts is a great new tool we look forward to having in the toolbox!

15/09/2026

Another gorgeous Australian made firefighting applicance for Tasssie from R. A. Bell, you beauty!

07/09/2026

If you are a farmer and have been considering upgrading or purchasing a firefighting unit, Blaze Aid are offering financial support of 50% of the cost for this month only!

All Fired Up Applications open 9am TODAY!
Here's the link to the form:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/FTLTugLhPy

05/09/2026

Spring has sprung and the burning season has begun!

We are proud to launch our fire unit product guide for the 2026/27 Summer.

BST has started work on some new fire unit builds, begun testing of our new Tas Rakes in a litteral trial by fire, and are undertaking BAL consultancy on some exciting new developments.

As always, please dont hesitate to reach out for any assistance on your Bushfire Solution.

26/07/2026

Mid winter and we are still creating Tasmanian Bushfire Solutions!

Check out this ski pump trailer, custom designed for the Ben Lomond community!

Gorgeous TIG Welding on a lightweight anti-corrosive alloy frame, designed and assembled by the local ledgends at Roys Custom Fabrication.
The custom ski and/or wheel design allows use in marginal snow conditions common on Aussie mountains.

With a mind to logevity and KISS operation to assist inexperieced operators, the unit has polymer hardware, high nitile hose, no ball valves and all alloy fittings to combat the extreme alpine environment.
An Aussie Fire Captain matched to a Honda GX200 electric start provides a durable oversized single impeller for the dam water hydrant supply, while throwing bulk water a long distance, perfect for this units intention of exposure defence.

Quick release rubber mounts improve anti vibration and give multiple fast deployment options given the complex possibilities around the village.

16/06/2026

Only 48 hours remaining to purchase a high quality fire unit for a great price and a great cause!
Our industry leading Tassie Devil Pods will retail at $4500 this spring.
Bidding for this unit is currently below cost at $3000! So if you have been considering a fire unit for next summer, grab a bargain and support the amazing work of Rural Alive and Well Tasmania!

18/05/2026

Our CSO (Chief Sticker Officer) peeling off another wicked decal by Flying Colours Launceson

12/05/2026

The Rakehoe or McLeod Tool was created in 1905 by Malcolm McLeod, a United States Forest Service ranger at the Sierra National Forest.

You will find at least one on every bushfire apparatus in Australia and for good reason. They are still one of the best hand tools to create a control line quickly in our eucalypt and pull apart burning fuels.

We are working with no less than three passionate local fabricators on something very special, and very Tasmanian.

This design started around the coffee table on station and is quite literally shaping up to be one of the coolest things we have developed.

Australian Steel, Australian Timber, designed by local bush firefighters, built here by local trades. Custom lettering to ID your farm, brigade or truck. A bottle opener?

Although it is taking a very long time to get right, we are hoping the first models will be availiable Spring 2026 for around $200.

Let us know if you would be keen for one!