Friday Fun: A Look Inside a Yukon Airtanker

 In the video that I am sharing below about the Yukon Airtanker, according to CBC News North, the supervisor of the airtanker program mentioned at 35 seconds is not Chris Mullen, it is Chris Boland.

Direct link to May 28th video from CBC News North on YouTube

Florida Air Operations Preparing for Hurricane Season

Having been to Florida once on vacation and having friends and family who spend time in Florida I try to pay attention to the hurricane season in Florida. I know that air operations can play an important role in tracking many storm events, including hurricanes. I saw this video from Vertical Plus on how Florida is preparing their air operations for the upcoming hurricane season and am sharing the video today.

 

Direct link to May 26th video from Vertical Plus on YouTube

Update on 2020 Oregon Wildfires

 In 2020 I made at least three posts about wildfires in Oregon, one on October 20th, a second post on September 9th, and a third post on November 30th. When I saw the May 31st post from Wildfire Today on Facebook that I am embedding below about wildfire mitigation plans from the Bonneville Power Administration on Facebook and went back to review what I wrote in 2020, I wanted to share the post with you, which I am embedding here. I see from the post from Wildfire Today that the Bonneville Power Administration has rewritten their fire mitigation plan. These were devastating fires and I am hopeful that the Bonneville Power Administration will make some progress in mitigating the effects of these wildfires.

2026 Wildfires: Sandy Fire (Ventura County CA) contained

The Sandy Fire is at 100 percent containment as of May 27th at 2,183 acres. I don't always post when a wildfire is contained, however I found a video of ground and aerial operations at the Sandy Fire dated May 22nd that I wanted to share, at that time the fire was at 61 percent containment.

Aircraft Maintenace is Important

Direct link to May 24th post on Facebook by Coulson Aviation

Maintenance of aircraft -- firefighting aircraft, commercial aircraft and general aviation aircraft -- is very important to be sure that aircraft are safe to fly. Operators of aircraft including Coulson follow a maintenance schedule for their aircraft, some maintenance is more routine and other maintenance involves inspecting the whole aircraft. Aircraft parts may be replaced as needed in order to keep the aircraft safe to fly. I applaud the Aviation Maintenance Technicians who maintain aircraft for Coulson and other aircraft operators.

Memorial Day 2026

Direct link to the Armed Forces Medley from the May 24th 2026 concert in Washington DC shared by Rabbo

I remember all veterans who died while in service to the United States whether you served overseas or in a conflict. I remember.

2026 Wildfire Season: Sandy Fire (May 21) Ventura County, California

Direct link to May 21st video from LK Media on YouTube

The Sandy Fire has burned 2141 acres and is 40% contained.

2026 Wildfire Season: Sandy Fire Ventura County CA

Direct link to May 19th video from CBSLA on YouTube

I heard about the Sandy Fire yesterday burning outside of Los Angeles California in Ventura County. As of last night, the fire had burned 1698 acres and is at 5 percent containment. Approximately 43,000 were affected by evacuation orders last night. 

Remembering the Warren Grove Fire: May 15-16 2007

 

Direct link to Video on YouTube shared by NJFFS Section B10 

The 17-18000 acre Warren Grove Fire that burned in Ocean and Burlington Counties on May 15-16 2007 occured before I devoted this blog to wildland firefighting. However, I recall hearing about the Warren Grove Wildfire on the news, online and otherwise. I live about 1.5 hours from the NJ Pinelands where this fire occured, I try to get there every year and am looking forward to going in a month or so. I do remember driving by the area that was devastated by this fire perhaps in the summer of 2007 but definately a year later. I recall looking at the stands of dead trees and at the same time seeing the young pines that were repopulating the devastated area. A couple of years later I could barely tell where this fire occured. So I pause today to remember this fire, thanks to a May 15th Facebook post by the NJFFS Section B10. Only one home was destroyed and four others were damaged. I wrote about the Warren Grove Fire on a May 2017 post to my blog

Helicopter Aids in Rescue off Florida Coast

While I am not an expert, I have been interested in the work done by satellites in orbit around the Earth since I was a kid. When I saw the post below from NOAA Satellites and Information Service I knew that I had to share this with you. I am delighted that all from the crashed airplane were rescued.

Direct link to May 14th Facebook post from NOAA Satellite and Information Service