Effects of Prescribed and Incidental Fire On Composition-B Explosive Residues On Ranges.

The use of live ordnance in US Army training activities has the unintentional consequence of unexploded ordnance or residual explosive compounds remaining on training ranges and potentially contributing to transport of toxic compounds off-site.  Occasional fires that result from exploding ordnance or as a result of land management activities to control invasive or non-native plant species were theorized to provide thermal treatment of surface particles of Composition-B explosive, commonly used in high explosive munitions.  Laboratory testing provided evidence complete combustion of Composition-B was achievable when sufficient temperature and flame or ember exposure was generated by the burning vegetation.  Field evaluations were performed during prescribed burning operations at Forts McCoy, Pickett, Stewart and Camp Shelby.  Particles of Composition-B were placed on site prior to prescribed fire operations and sensors were installed to monitor surface temperatures during burns.   Surface temperatures exceeding 350 deg F generally resulted in 100% combustion of Composition-B while exposure to sparks or flame at lower temperatures provided combustion as well.  Results indicated surface distributed Composition-B would not persist in training ranges subjected to incidental or prescribed fire.