Vanguard Steel 5500 0048 Firefighting Shovel, Ash Handle

The Vanguard Steel 5500 0048 Fire Fighting Shovel is built for the demands of wildfire suppression, vegetation control, and emergency ground work. With a long 48” ash handle and a sharpened 65Mn steel blade, this shovel gives firefighters and land workers the leverage and edge needed for fieldwork in tough conditions. The forward-angled shovel head is designed to scoop, scrape, and cut through dirt, roots, and debris, making it highly effective for throwing soil onto flames, digging fire breaks, or scraping away fuel from fire lines.

Unlike standard garden tools, this firefighting shovel features a smaller, more maneuverable blade and sharpened edges up to 1.5 inches from the tip—allowing users to quickly cut through ground cover and smother surface-level fires. Built with wildland firefighting needs in mind, the 5500 0048 is a purpose-driven tool used by municipal crews, forestry personnel, and rural landowners alike.

Vanguard Steel Firefighting Shovel At a Glance

• Forward-Angled Blade Design: Improves scooping and scraping efficiency when working over uneven or brushy terrain.
• Sharpened Steel Edges: Blade edges are sharpened up to 1.5 inches from the tip for cutting through soil, roots, and debris.
• Long Ash Handle: The 48” handle allows for greater leverage and reach while keeping hands away from flames and heat.
• Compact Blade Size: Smaller blade than a typical garden shovel improves control in confined or rugged environments.
• Multipurpose Use: Ideal for scraping vegetation, digging small fire lines, or smothering flames with soil.

Markets

• Wildland Firefighting: Used for clearing ground fuels, digging fire lines, and suppressing small grass fires.
• Forestry Management: Helps crews remove brush and roots quickly in preparation for controlled burns or thinning operations.
• Municipal Services: Suitable for parks and greenspace maintenance where fire risk management is necessary.
• Utility and Construction Work: A dependable field tool for clearing ground and prepping worksites in rural and semi-rural areas.
• Rural Landowners: Practical for emergency fire response and property line clearing during dry seasons.
• Outdoor Education & Training: Teaches safe and effective manual fire suppression techniques in trade and conservation programs.

The Vanguard 5500 0048 is an essential tool for wildfire control, but it also finds a place in utility work, trail maintenance, and land clearing. Forestry crews value its sharpened head for quick fuel removal, while municipalities rely on it for safe, controlled vegetation management in parks and green belts. Construction and utility teams use the forward-angled blade for ground scraping and clearing before digging or trenching. Its durability and precision also make it a go-to for educational programs training students in wildfire management or conservation fieldwork.

Vanguard Steel 5500 0048 Fire Fighting Shovel Features

•  A firefighter’s shovel has a smaller blade and longer handle than a regular garden shovel.
•  The head is angled forward to facilitate scooping and scraping dirt.
•  The edges of a fire shovel blade are sharpened up to one and a half inches of the top of the blade.
•  The shovels are used to scrape vegetation off the ground and throw dirt onto the flames.

Vanguard Steel 5500 0048 Fire Fighting Shovel Specifications

• Name: Firefighting shovel with ash handle
• Material: 65Mn Steel Blade
• Blade Dimensions: 295 mm x 245 mm
• Handle Material: Ash
• Handle Length: 48 inches
• Weight: 2 kg (with handle)
• Product Code: 5500 0048

Why Firefighters Prefer the Vanguard Steel Firefighting Shovel, Ash Handle

Known in the field as a must-have wildland hand tool, the Vanguard 5500 0048 firefighting shovel does more than just move dirt—it plays a critical role in on-the-ground suppression. Firefighters use it to scrape out low flames, shovel soil onto hot spots, or dig quick fire breaks in dry grass and brush. The sharp edge gives it cutting power, while the angled design adds control, making it useful not only in fire emergencies but also in trail work and vegetation management. When you’re out where the fire meets the fuel, this shovel works as hard as you do.