2026 Wildfire Season: Wildfires in Everglades in South Florida

Direct link to Aug 23rd video from WPLG Local 10 on YouTube The video that I share from WPLG in Miami Florida was on my newsfeed yesterday. As some of you know, I traveled to the Everglades once, about fifteen years ago. My friend and I spent a day traversing the Everglades from west to east and back to the hotel where I was staying. It was a day I will not forget. I am always saddened by wildfires anywhere, but the Everglades have a special place in my heart so I am especially saddened to hear of wildfires in the Everglades. The important thing is that as far as I know there were no injuries or deaths from these wildfires. I am also sharing a report on these wildfires from the Everglades National Park that may be found here. WGCU News has an August 23rd report on these wildfires that may be found here. As I write this Shark Valley remains closed.

2026 Wildfire Season: Helicopter Getting Water in Southern California

Direct link to Aug 19th video from https://www.youtube.com/@Squawk619 on YouTube.

I love helicopters and enjoy seeing video of helicopters filling up with water to help fight wildfires. I also have friends in southern California and think of them often when I see that aerial resources are being used to help fight wildires in southern California.

2026 Wildfire Season: European Aircraft Deployed to Belgium

Direct link to August 17th post from German Public Broadcast Service on YouTube

I heard a report early this moring on National Public Radio about the hot weather and wildfire danger that many areas of Europe are seeing. Unfortunately, I can not find a link to that story online nor could I find any videos on YouTube related to the story I heard. I did find a video that I shared above about a very large wildfire in Belgium and the help they are receiving from other countries in Europe sending aerial resources.

Six Airtankers used for Wildland Firefighting Explained

Direct link to May 29th 2026 video from https://www.youtube.com/@FireFighterExplains on YouTube

I do enjoy learing about the different types of aircraft used for wildland firefighting. I was interested in the above video that discusses 6 types of firefighting aircraft. I am posting it here because I thought that some of you might be interested in watching this seven and a half minute video.

Friday Fun: Washington Army National Guard Working Wildfires in Washington

Direct link to August 5th video from VBS Defense on YouTube

I enjoyed watching this short video of the 96th Aviation Troop Command,Washington Army National Guard flying to help the wildland firefighters on the ground battle the wildfires in eastern Washington

2026 Wildfire Season: NJ Wildland Firefighters Deployed Across United States

Direct link to August 11th video on NBC10 Philadlephia

Just about every summer since I started this blog over 20 years ago New Jersey Forest Fire Service wildland firefighting crews are deployed across the United States to help wildland firefighters in other states fight wildfires. This deployment does not affect the ability of the NJ Forest Fire Service to fight wildfires in New Jersey as there are crews available to fight wildfires in New Jersey.

Smokey the Bear turned 82 on August 9th

If I am correct Smokey the Bear turned 82 on August 9th, meaning that he first appeared 82 years ago in 1924. I do not quite recall when I first learned about Smokey the Bear, but he remains on my mind, especially over the 22 years I have been doing this blog. I feel like my words are wholly inadequate. But I hope that you look at the link I provided of Smokey thru the years. I found a short video of Smokey flying over the New Jersey shore that I believe was shared on NJ.com this morning, hlu should be able to find the video here.

Friday Fun: Grade Fire (San Diego CA) Aerial Firefighting

Direct link to July 31st video from Ocotillo Outlaws on YouTube

Footage from Ocotillo Outlaws of aerial firefighting over Grade Fire in east San Diego County on July 31st. Sorry for the small size of the video, you can enlarge the video to full screen by clicking the arrows to the right.

National Night Out: New Jersey Forest Fire Service Helicopter Delta6

Direct link to August 5th video from MySussex on YouTube

I am aware of National Night Out the first Tuesday of August, as I see signage and social media posts about local events on that day. National Night Out recognizes the work that police and fire departments (including wildland fire agencies) do to keep us safe. In the video that I embedded, you will see NJ Forest Fire Service helicopter, Delta 6, which is stationed at Aeroflex-Andover Airport in Andover in Sussex County NJ during the wildfire season. Delta 6 provides valuable support to wildland firefighers in northern New Jersey during New Jersey's wildfire season.

2026 Wildfire Season: Two Fiefighting Helicopters in a Mid-Air Over Greece

Direct link to August 2nd video from Sky News on YouTube

I want to thank my friends at the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10 website for sharing a video about the mid-air firefighting helicopter collision and crash on their home page. I understand that two people on one of the helicopters died while two on the other helicopter survived and were taken to the hospital. There will be an investigation into the cause of the mid-air crash. I offer my prayers for the two who died as well as the two who survived and are in the hospital. For more information about this crash please see this August 2nd report from Sky News