2026 Wildfire Season: Progress in Fighting Northern Minnesota Wildfires (July 23rd)

Direct link to July 23 video from Fox 9 Minneapolis St. Paul I am happy to report that some progess is being made in fighting wildfires in northern Minnesota, but wildfires are still active and it may be awhile before they are contained. See the video that I shared from Fox 9 Minneapolis St. Paul for more information

2026 Wildfires: Wildfires in Sicily, Italy

Direct link to July 21st video from NBC News on YouTube 

I am always interested in wildfires affecting countries outside the United States. When I saw this video about wildfires affecting Sicily, Italy I wanted to share this with you out of respect for people in Sicily, Italy

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