Traditional Pavlovian conditioning techniques are used to train dogs to respond to the odor of an accelerant. Conditioned dogs are able to respond to such odors with potentially greater accuracy than current field accelerant detection devices, which, unlike canines, may produce false-positive readings and are unable to differentiate between accelerants and similar chemical gases often found at fire scenes. Since the program began, three black labrador retrievers have been trained and are on call 24 hours a day to respond to possible arsons throughout the State. Exercises with accidental and set fires are conducted to reinforce training. In a 1987 $5 million fire at a lumber yard, a dog and his handler were able to identify the location of an accelerant in less than an hour. Since the program's inception, the Fire Marshal's office has assisted other Federal, State, and County agencies in the development of training and arson investigation programs using canines. Photographs.