1) An alternative to gasoline for creating fire (something less smokey, better for the environment, etc.)
2) Permits to light a fire on a road (10 sq feet or so) - Location would be an abandoned road in the middle of no where. If you've had experience getting authorization to do something similar, what was the process?
This may be a case of " it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" Only half kidding. If its in the middle of no where you might be able to just do it otherwise I would start by contacting the local fire department, as I am sure they would know what to do next.
In college we did the bonfire thing. Most towns/cities require a permit for outdoor burning. To get one you have to city to ask. If I remember correctly, there is often a requirement to have the fire department standing by...and it is not free.
The issue I think you might have is with the ownership of the road. If it is in the middle of nowhere, it is probably county or state owned. They might not be happy with the idea of building a fire directly on their road. The road will be damaged.
The fire department can probably direct you, but they do not issue the permits.
White fuel is more potent than gasoline and seems to last longer than gasoline flames. As far as being good for the environment I don't know, but it sure is fun to use.
we used alcohol for something similar. it didnt even left a mark on the road. Just prep and test everyting before starting the fire, then do a shoot and extinguish the fire.
we asked local fire department and they didnt needed to show by when we said we have enoug extinguishers to remove it by our own.
hehe. I did this once in order to do a back to the future parody still. I have also had myself and friends covered in rubbing alcohol and set on fire (we fell back into a pool).
Both were film projects and my back the future photos got ruined by light leak but I have some snapshots of the pictures from the rubbing alcohol poored on us.
These were a protest of the olympics in china (human rights stuff). A recreation and salute to the Buddhist monks who sent themselves on fire to protest the vietnam war.
Shot with ilford 3200 and printed on ilford glossy fiber paper.
The question is this: are you going to be shooting during the day?
If so rubbing alcohol will not work as it is mostly blue flame. For daytime shooting a gas/diesel mixture would likely work best. Smoke is helpful for getting definition in daytime fire.
The other option would be White Gas (is a liquid) (aka camp stove fuel). It has a fantasitic flame but is not very smoky. It will be your best bet day or night if you dont want smoke but want some awesome fire
Another possibility for a contact could be the NHRA and or a local Drag Strip. I know they do sometimes work with fire and they would not want to destroy their tarmac.
