2025 Wildfire Season: Update on Wildfires in and around Los Angeles County (Jan 17th)

 

Obtained on January 17th at 10:30 from the Cal Fire Incidents Page

I am always saddened by the loss of life from any wildfire. For the last few days, I have seen the figure that there are 24 fatalities attributed to the wildfires currently burning in LA County and environs.. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who have perished in the Palisades and Eaton fires. I went to the individual incident page for each of the three wildfires that I have listed below to get a breakdown of the fatalities attributed to each fire.

Current wildfire statistics from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 10:30 AM EST on January 17th:

• Palisades Fire, 23,713 acres, 31 percent contained, started 1/7/2025, 8 fatalities.
• Eaton Fire, 14,117 acres, 65 percent contained, started 1/7/2025, 16 fatalities.
• Auto Fire, 61 acres, 85 percent contained, started 1/13/2025.

I have also seen media reports that there are dozens of missing persons from these fires, most notably the Eaton Fire, but there may be missing persons from the Palisades Fire and other fires. It seems that a number of the missing persons are senior citizens. I am glad to see the media reports on these missing persons, asking the nearby public if they have seen these persons. 

Direct link to report on YouTube from NBCLA on YouTube

I am sure that many of you are already aware of the fatalities and missing persons from following various media outlets, however I felt that I needed to mention these fatalities and missing persons in this post.

While searches go on for the missing and families, and loved ones grieve those who have perished in these fires, there is a bright spot in the rescue of Ms. Patty Phillips by LA County Fire Captain Malcom Dicks. Captain Dicks risked his life to save Ms. Phillips. Ms. Phillips told the story of her rescue to a reporter from KCAL News. The video report is slightly over eight minutes.

Direct link to report from KCAL News on YouTube

2025 Wildfire Season: Update on Wildfires in and around Los Angeles County (Jan 15th)

I start with embedding a January 14th video from NBC News where reporter Ellison Barber rode along on a Cal Fire helicopter to get an aerial view of some of the wildfires currently burning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and a discussion with Operations Section Chief Christian Litz.

Direct link to video from NBC News on YouTube

In my wonderings in preparation for this post, I came across a nice article on USA Today that I hope is freely available to all (I am not a subscriber to USA Today). This January 14th USA Today article discusses the different aerial assets that are currently being used to fight the wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The article lists these aerial assets with a drawing and specifications, it is an easy read. In particular the article refers to the : 

• CL-415 Super Scooper (1,600 gallon tank)
• Bell UH-1H "Super Huey" Helicopter (380 gallon tank)
• Sikorsky S-70i "Fire Hawk' Helicopter (1,000 gallon tank)
• Grumman S-2T Airtanker (1,200 gallon tank)
• North American OV-10A Bronco Air Tactical Aircraft
• C-130 Hercules Airtanker (4,000 gallon tank)

Extreme fire danger continues in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through Thursday, January 16th with a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning through 3 PM on Wednesday, January 15th.

Obtained on January 15th at 11 AM EST from https://www.weather.gov/lox/

Current wildfire statistics from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 11:30 AM on January 15th:

• Palisades Fire, 23,713 acres, 19 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Eaton Fire, 14,117 acres, 45 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Hurst Fire, 799 acres, 97 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Auto Fire, 61 acres, 47 percent contained, started 1/13/2025.

obtained from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 11:10 AM on January 15th

2025 Wildfire Season: Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warnings in LA County (July 14th)

Direct link to video from NBCLA on YouTube

When I posted yesterday, January 13th about the wildfire situation in Los Angeles County, I included a graphic warning of Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warnings from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles from 4 AM Tuesday January 14th through Noon on Wednesday January 15th. The NWS in Los Angeles updated their PDS Red Flag Warning yesterday after I posted on January 13th. See the graphic below.

I wanted to give you more information about how the NWS defines a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) as relates to Red Flag Warnings. The video I shared is good, they explain about Santa Ana Winds and then discuss what a PDS is. 

2025 Wildfire Season: Update on Wildfires in Los Angeles County (Jan 13th)

Direct link to January 13th video from CBS News on YouTube

I want to update my January 10th post on the wildfires that are currently burning in and around Los Angeles County. As you can see from the video report that I shared, at least 24 people have died and thousands of structures are damaged or destroyed. High winds will again be present over the fire area, but not as high as last week. 

I took a screen shot of the latest map on the CAL Fire Incidents Page using my Firefox browser. 

Image taken at 11:30 AM on January 13th from the CAL Fire Incidents Page

At the time I write this update, the status of the five wildfires that I reported on in my January 10th post are:

• Palisades Fire, 23,713 acres, 14 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Eaton Fire, 14,117 acres, 33 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Kenneth Fire, 1,052 acres, 100 percent contained, started 1/9/2025.
• Hurst Fire, 799 acres, 95 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Lidia Fire, 395 acres, 100 percent contained, started 1/8/2025.

There continues to be a lot of national and international media coverage of the wildfires currently burning in and around Los Angeles County. I myself have seen good coverage on the New York Times and the Washington Post (both have limited access for non subscribers) as well as local newspapers. I expect that most of you can find coverage in your newspapers and other media outlets.

Note: For some unknown reason, I had a problem accessing the map on the CAL Fire Incidents page using Safari and Chrome on my Mac desktop perhaps because of the way the two browsers are configured. I was able to access the page using safari and chrome on my devices and a friend told me they could access this page on both browsers on their Mac laptop.

2025 Wildfire Season: Wildfires in Los Angeles County

Direct link to video from Inside Edition (January 9th) on YouTube

Direct link to video from KCAL (January 9th) on YouTube

Direct link to video from KCAL (January 9th) on YouTube

I am heartbroken about the destruction caused by various wind-driven wildfires in Los Angeles County and vicinity. Stories about these wildfires are in all the digital newspapers I subscribe to and then some. So I am sure that most of you know about the wildfires. I will let you watch these three short videos that I have embedded above. One is sharing about calling in the National Guard, a second is reporting on some 1,000 homes that have been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades and vicinity, and the third is reporting on evacuations being lifted. These videos are only a small look at what local media in Los Angeles have been reporting. Then there are other articles in various newspapers, chances are if you subscribe to a newspaper you are reading about these fires, then there will be articles in your newsfeed for those of you who have a newsfeed. Evacuations orders are still in place and many structures have been destroyed.

I know of at least five wildfires of various sizes that are burning in Los Angeles County and environs, information and links are obtained from the CAL FIRE incident page you can go there to look at more maps.

Image taken on January 10th, 2025 at 1:09 PM EST from the CAL FIRE incident page

• Palisades Fire, 20.438 acres, 8 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Eaton Fire, 13,956 acres, 3 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Kenneth Fire, 1,000 acres, 35 percent contained, started 1/9/2025.
• Hurst Fire, 771 acres, 37 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Lidia Fire, 395 acres, 75 percent contained, started 1/8/2025.

Words can not adequately express my gratitude for all the hard work of wildland firefighters, and various mutual aid responders from local and regional fire departments, the National Guard, and other first responders are doing in working these fires under extreme conditions. When conditions all, tankers and helicopters will fly but these assets are grounded in the winds are too strong.

2025 Wildfire Season: Pacific Palisades Wildfire

Direct link to video from KCAL News (January 8th, about 6 AM PST) on YouTube

I follow Wildfire Today and it's sister site Fire Aviation, both sites are reporting on the Palisades Wildfire, Wildfire Today's most recent post (Jan 7th) may be found here and Fire Aviation posted later in the evening on Jan 7th. This is a fast moving fire fueled by extreme winds. The winds are hampering aerial operations which according to this report from CBS News were shut down January 7th at 8PM, the report includes a map of the fire area and reports on the Hurst and the Eaton Fires. Evacuations due all three fires  are in place, residences have been destroyed, and there are road closures in the area. Schools have also been closed. 

The New York Times reported on these fires this morning, the article is gifted for 10 days. The Washington Post is also reporting on these fires in an article posted today (gifted to you for 10 days).

Life threatening winds occurred Tuesday, Jan 7th and Wednesday morning January 8th for the Los Angeles area.

Neptune Aviation Transitioning to Airbus A319 for 2027 Season

Neptune Aviation is transitioning to a new aircraft for wildland firefighting, the Airbus A319 that they expect to be ready for the 2027 wildfire season. This decision comes after they spent two years doing extensive research to come up with the right aircraft, they will partner with Aerotec & Concept. The retardant capacity of the A319 will be 4,500 gallons. According to their December 3, 2024 news release

“The Airbus A319’s increased capacity and advanced features make it an ideal choice for wildland firefighting. Our team is committed to ensuring that Neptune’s new fleet is optimized for maximum efficiency and safety. With our extensive experience in aircraft modification, we are confident that this transition will enhance Neptune’s aerial firefighting capabilities,” says Aerotec & Concept CEO Johan Clochet.

With its new aircraft selected, Neptune Aviation becomes the first company to convert the A319 for aerial firefighting operations. Moving to the A319 will increase retardant capacity to a minimum of 4,500 gallons, compared to the maximum 3,000 that can presently be carried by the BAe 146. The A319 also has greater fuel capacity, which will allow Neptune to reach remote fires located outside of their current service window with a full payload.

As part of the A320 product line, the Airbus A319 is equipped with advanced avionics, featuring a revolutionary fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system. The FBW system uses computers to process pilot inputs and then sends electrical signals to control the aircraft’s flight surfaces, ensuring the desired flight path. These capabilities enhance safety, reliability, and maneuverability, while reducing weight by eliminating traditional cables, pulleys, and rods.

Draughon (Jennifer Draughon, President of Neptune Aviation) says the transition to the A319 will happen gradually over a number of years and expects that Neptune will operate between 10-15 aircraft in their fleet—a mix of A319s and BAe 146s—depending on the evolving demands of aerial firefighting.

I am about a month late in posting about this and while I suspect that many of you already know that Neptune will be transitioning to the A319, as the title of my blog is aerial wildland firefighting,  it is appropriate that I report on this development. You might be interested in reading other articles about Neptune's transition to the A319:

• FireAviation
• Fire and Safety Journal
• Aerial Fire Magazine
• Newsfile

• 
  

News from Coulson Aviation (January 3rd)

 Coulson Aviation is deploying to Australia and has already deployed to Chili after a busy wildfire season in the western United States. See these short posts from X, formerly Twitter for more information.

Today, Coulson Aviation marks 15 million gallons of water and retardant delivered on fire missions this year. Every drop represents our unwavering support for firefighters and the communities they protect 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/0h1NsR5RrM

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 30, 2024

 

As 2024 ends, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of aerial firefighting operations. Thanks to the Coulson Crew, partners, and local orgs for trusting us to protect communities worldwide. Here's to a safe, impactful 2025! #happynewyear #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/107L7bYiaV

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 31, 2024

 

 

Take to the skies with Tanker 138! Before deploying to Western Australia earlier this year, this Herc completed a test flight, ensuring it in tip-top shape for the upcoming fire season. Join us for a glimpse of this incredible aircraft in action 💪 #coulsonaviation #c130 pic.twitter.com/xIQrnXHqU8

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) January 2, 2025

Day 1 on contract in Chile, and Tanker 137 is already making an impact. Our Coulson Crew hit the ground running, ensuring smooth operations and keeping the mission on track. Getting it done is what we do 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/WfPa4GxHxN

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 27, 2024

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season

According to a post on X, formerly Twitter, the NJ Forest Fire Service responded to over 1,400 wildfires that burned more than 11,000 acres. Enjoy this short summary from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service of their 2024 wildfire season and what they do to keep us safe.

Happy Holidays from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service!

In 2024, the Forest Fire Service responded to over 1,400 wildfires burning in excess of 11,000 acres across the Garden State.

As we welcome the New Year, remember Smokey's message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires.” pic.twitter.com/zqQKfAfIEi

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) December 22, 2024

Preparing for Next Year's Wildfire Season in New Jersey

Direct link to video from NBC10 Philadelphia on YouTube

Here in New Jersey we had a record number of wildfires during the dry spell in October into mid-November. The ground was so dry that tree stumps continued to burn after the wildfire was contained, something that happens a lot out west but is rare in New Jersey and environs. As you can see from the video that I embedded above the lower portion of the trees are burned, if the roots survived than the tree will (hopefully) survive. New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews participate in training to prepare for the wildfire season. There are things that homeowners in New Jersey living near forested areas can do to protect their homes such as being sure the gutters are cleaned out and that to clear leaf litter, debris and flammable vegetation from around the house.