Dozers are specially designed, heavy construction equipment that have been adapted to wildland firefighting applications. They vary in size and maneuverability. Small dozers are effective in building fireline in light fuels on level to moderate terrain. They perform best in soil with few rocks, and in wet soil conditions, especially when equipped with wide tracks. They also can be very useful in mopup operations.
Medium-sized dozers are generally the best all-around size for fireline construction as they are maneuverable and perform well on moderate slopes. They will handle the average fuel and terrain conditions in the mountainous areas and when fitted with wide tracks perform well in wet soil conditions.
