2026 Wildfires: Northern Minnesota (July 19th update)

Direct link to July 15th post from Fox9 Minneapolis-St. Paul on YouTube

The wildfires in northern Minnesota continue with smoke continuing to affect other regions of the United States and Canada. The video that I shared above, reported on July 15th is a little long, over eight minutes that includes weather information. These wildfires have burned about 70,000 acres on Friday,July 15th. Wildland firefighters discuss how they are working to keep people safe.

Friday Fun: Airtanker History from 2010

I don't know about you, but I always enjoy learning about the history of aerial firefighting. I enjoyed this video from Airailimages about air tankers that were flying in 2010 and earlier.

Direct link to October 2023 video from Airailimages on YouTube

2026 Wildfires: Wildfires Continue in Northern Minnesota

Wildfires continue in northern Minnesota, as I write this there are 17 reported wildfires in northern Minnesota. If you can not see the embedded video, please go to the link.

Direct link to July 15th video from Fox9 Minnesota on YouTube

2026 Wildfires in Northern Minnesota

I thank my friends from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10 for sharing the video on the wildfires currently burning in northern Minnesota. I wanted to find out more about these fires in addition to sharing the video so I found an article that I am linking to. The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz mobilized the National Guard to support wildland firefighters fighting these fires. There were some storms with lightning on July 6th with little rain that lead to these wildfires. See this article from Minnesota Public Radio for more information. from Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) for more information. Governor Walz declared a state of emergency yesterday.

Friday Fun: CH-53 Helicopters working a 2024 Wildfire in Germany

For this week's Friday Fun I am sharing a video of a couple of CH-53 helicopters working a 2024 wildfire in Germany. The video that I am sharing was posted by HD108oide on YouTube. I enjoy seeing helicopters working a wildfire, and enjoyed this video. I hope that you do as well.

2026 Wildfires: Chelan Valley Wildfire (Washington)

 I saw a video of an airtanker dropping on the Chelan Wildfire that got me interested in finding out more about this Wildfire. According to Inciweb's page on the Chelan Wildfire, accessed on July 8th, the Chelan Wildfire, burning in Washington, was first reported on July 4th. The current estimate (dated July 7th) is that 9,735 acres have burned and it is at 20 percent containment. In the video below you will see two scoopers responding to the wildfire.

Direct link to July 7th video from Aerofilite Aerial Firefighting on Facebook 

NJ Forest Fire Service: 120th Anniversary

I am very greatful for the long service of the NJ Forest Fire Service in keeping us as safe as possible from wildfires. The NJ Forest Fire Service was established on July 4th, 1906.

Direct link to July 4th post on Facebook from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service

About Training for Aircraft Fighting Wildfires

Thanks to Coulson Aviation whom I follow on Facebook and YouTube for sharing an educational video on YouTube about training for aircraft used to fight wildfires. Yes the video is a little long at just under 25 minutes but well worth watching.

Direct link to June 21st video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube 

Cottonwood Fire (Utah/Colorado Border) - June 29th update

Direct link to June 30th video from ABC4Utah on YouTube

I continue to be interested in the wildfire burning along the Colorado/Utah border that some are calling the Cottonwood Fire. I found this link to a report from KSL of a June 29th article that the Cottonwood Fire has burned 94,000 acres on June 29th and is at 4 percent containment, they report that an estimated 150 buildings have been destroyed.  I then looked around and found a video from ABC4Utah that I shared here with some more details about this wildfire.

Three Wildland Firefighters Killed

I know that fighting wildfires is dangerous, and I am always saddened to hear that wildland firefighters have died fighting wildfires. I read over the weekend that three wildland firefighters died fighting the Cottonwood wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border. As I write this, according to ABC4 Utah the Cottonwood Fire has burned around 94,000 acres with little or no containment (a direct link to the video may be found below the embedded video.

 I offer my condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased wildland firefighters. 

Direct link to June 29th video from ABC4 Utah

 

June 29th, 2:40 PM update 

On July 29th Wildfire Today has a post identifying the names of the three wildland firefighters who died on the Cottonwood Fire; Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson. Please read the Wildfire Today article for more information about the deceased wildland firefighters.