Pulaski

A specialized wildland firefighting tool with a rigid handle, and a combination ax and adze head. The tool is similar to a cutting mattock except that the narrower and more blunt chisel head is replaced with a full ax head.

The Pulaski is used to cut roots and expose soil to create dry fire breaks in backcountry conditions. It is often used in combination with McLeod fire hoe and Council fire rake with crews of 12-20 firefighters working together. Each crew member uses one of the three tools; as they walk behind one another in a staggered line,  each takes a stroke at the turf. The result is a 3-5 foot wide fire break. An experienced crew can put in up to several miles of fire break an hour.