Reflections on upcoming fire season

Over the last two or three weeks I've been focusing on wildfire activity in NJ and elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. As things have begun to calm down, at least for the short term, here in NJ due to green up and recent rains, I am aware that wildfire season is under way elsewhere in the U.S. In other areas of the U.S., fire season is just beginning.

While my recent attentions had been focused closer to home, so to speak, where NJ had seen a decrease in the number of SEATs on contract during the spring fire season compared with prior years (go here), my thoughts were never far away from the small number of type 1(retardant capacity of at least 3,000 gallons) and type 2 tankers (retardant capacity of 1,800 to 2,999 gallons) on national contract. From upwards of 40 such tankers on contract in 2002, we now have 11 tankers.

Neptune Aviation has 9 P2-V tankers, one of which (T-10) is out of the rotation due to a cracked wing (go here for more information). Minden Air has two P-2V tankers> Neptune Aviation has one BAe-146 jet tanker (carries about 3,000 gallons of retardant). Eleven is not enough. These resources are in the process of being made available for wildland firefighting about one every other week or so since February.

I was reminded of the shortage of tankers on national contract late last week when a good friend of mine sent me an article, WILDFIRE: Federal officials brace for fire season, from the Press Enterprise. MIchael Archer referenced this same article in his Fire Publications Blog on April 27.

A day later, Michael Archer referenced a report from KABC in LA in the Fire Publications Blog discussing the upcoming wildfire season in California and the shortage of type 1 and 2 tankers on national contract.

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reports on a joint statement by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture and the U.S. Dept. of Interior here

Yes, I know about the eight National Guard MAFFS C-130s that the Press Enterprise article refers to. Bill Gabbert wrote here about training of the MAFFS crews.

California has CAL FIRE's S2-Ts and helicopters. Other states have their own aerial firefighting resources.

And there are helicopters (buckets and helitankers) on federal contract as well as Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs) on federal contract under the Bureau of Land Management.

Will all these aerial resources be enough?

I will miss the Very Large Airtankers (VLATs), the two DC-10 tankers and the Martin Mars (based in British Columbia). I hope that federal governments writes exclusive-use contract for these VLATs. A month of the Martin Mars on exclusive-use contract based in CA in the early fall would help. I understand that Evergreen has detanked the 747 supertanker, would be nice to see her back on contract and available to help out.

I suppose that all we can do is wait . . .

AT-602s in action

I visited my friends at Downstown Aero Crop Services the other day. I am going to start posting about my visit in a day or so. In the meantime, enjoy these videos of an AT-602. Some of you may recall that a couple of these videos showed up in my video of the week page a few weeks ago. The video, "AT 602 en route to spray area" is crop dusting as is the video "AT 602 clearing trees".

Neptune to acquire 11 BAe-146 jet aircraft

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported yesterday that Neptune Aviation is going to acquire 11 more BAe-146 aircraft for conversion to tankers and is planning to retire all the P2V from fire fighting by 2021. Bill has included a copy of Neptune's press release announcing same in his article.

Michael Archer of the Firebomber Publications Blog included an article reporting on Neptune's plans to acquire additional BAe-146 jet aircraft on April 21.

DC-10 Tanker

A great 3 minute video of one of the DC-10 tankers, including some views from inside the cockpit. The video is from the AOPA, they had an article in the May 2012 AOPA Pilot magazine. Since they offer embed code in the video, I am assuming that those of you who are not AOPA members will be able to see the video. There are two DC-10 tankers. I don't believe that either is on an exclusive-use contract with the USFS. I believe that they should be. December 8, 2014: The link for the video that I originially shared here no longer works, so I removed the inactive link. I just found another link to a video from AOPA Live, that may be the same or similar to the video that I first shared that I am embeddeding above, the direct link to the video on youtube may be found here.

Neptune P2V declares emergency with safe landing

I don't know much detail yet, The Missoulian and Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today are reporting that one of Neptune's P2V tanker declared an emergency and made a safe landing at Missoula. Early reports are that they may have suffered a hydraulic failure. Updated April 25, 7 AM EDT. The P2V was a training aircraft and was not used to fly fires.

Fire, rain, and initial attack in NJ

Last week, the two Air Tractor 602's on contract with the NJ Forest Fire Service, Bravo 1 (through May 6) and Charlie 1 (through May 7) continued to fly initial attack on smaller fires. According to my friends at My friends at Downstown Aero, most of these smaller fires required only one drop, but one or maybe required two drops.

 I did read about one six-acre fire in Howell Township (NJFFS Division B Section 8) on the NJFFS Section B10 website where Bravo 1 was reported to make multiple drops. Another fire where SEAT and NJFFS firefighters worked together to contain a fire but it could grow larger and get out of control.

Of course, Bravo 1 and Charlie 1 have been flying initial attack since they went on contract in late March. One or both worked larger fires as well such as two fires that I wrote here and here. And all this while there counterparts in Division A, Alpha 2 and Alpha 3 (Ag Cats) were flying initial attack in Division A (northern NJ).

There was a very nice article by Star Ledger Columnist Mark Di Ionno, After extremely dry spring, fire in Pine Barrens is inevitable truth in the Sunday (April 22, 2012) Star Ledger. The focus of the article is about the dry conditions in NJ and the high fire danger: The fire is coming. It’s not a matter of "if" but "when." This weekend’s forecasted rain may delay it, but the water will run quickly through the soil, and the Pine Barrens will dry out again underfoot in just a few days, or even hours if temperatures spike again. And, eventually, there will be a fire. In addition will learn more about the fire ecology of the Nj Pine Barrens and a little about the NJ Forest Fire Service with 80 full time and 1,200 part-time firefighters. Di Inno's article includes a great photo gallery by photographer Andrew Mills. It is worth checking out for the pictures of the site of a recent fire, one of the NJFFS towers, NJFFS engines, and Bravo 1 (Air Tractor 602).

Thanks to some rain that we had yesterday (April 22) as well as snow in western PA -- go here and here to read about rain and snow in western PA -- the fire danger is less than it was. But a return to higher temperatures and dry weather will change that.

Thanks to Firebomber Publications Blog for April 23, 2012 for references to the articles that I mentioned here. In addition, while I read the NJ article in my local paper yesterday, I'd like to thank a friend of mine who sent me the link.

Good-bye Alpha 2 (Grumman Ag-Cat)

My friends at Downstown told me this morning that Alpha 2 is off contract and back at Downstown. She has been flying on contract in NJ Forest Fire Service Division A (northern NJ) since March 19.

Alpha 2, I don't know how many times you flew initial attack on a fire, arriving at a small fire and making one or maybe two drops. The fire may have been under acre. Your drops in support of the NJ Forest Fire Service firefighters (NJFFS) were crucial in bring these fires under control in a short amount of time. Initial attack on a small fire, contained at a smaller size before it could grow larger and get out of control. It doesn't matter that I don't know how often you flew initial attack. What matters is that I knew you were there, for I live in Division A.

For two weeks, from April 7 to April 20, you were joined by another Ag-Cat at your base at Andover-Aeroflex. During a very dry period with numerous Red Flag Warnings with lots of wildfires, I felt a lot safer and a little less scared knowing that the two of you were there, ready to go fly initial attack to help the NJFFS firefighters.

Alpha 2, both you and Alpha 3 made multiple drops on the fire at Picatinny Arsenal, making drops where it was not safe for wildland firefighters on the ground to go because of the danger of unexploded munitions. Both of you made a huge difference in helping the wildland firefighters on the ground contain that fire in less than a day.

Now you are gone, back to Downstown. And we have Alpha-3 for one more week here in Division A. Alpha 2, I will miss you. Alpha-2's pilot, I will miss you also. For you and Alpha 2 are as one, flying initial attack. One needs the other. Thank-you.

Good-bye. You will soon be off to new adventures doing agricultural operations. Stay safe.

MA wildfire (under control)

I have deep ties to Massachusetts and I know that they too have had a busy spring wildfire season, just as we have in NJ and environs.

The 30-acre wildfire in the video that I embedded here was in Lee MA (in the western part of state)was contained last night. The fire started when a permitted brush-burn got out of control threatening some electric transmission lines and making nearby residents a tad nervous.
For more information including a short slide show, a map, and more on the fire go read this article from the Berkshire Eagle.

This one wildfire in Lee is probably a drop in the bucket when you consider all the wildfire activity that must of happened in MA and the rest of New England during this very active spring wildfire season. 

Rich Hole Wildfire VA (2012

The fire you are seeing in the video is a part of the Easter Complex Wildfire in VA that has burned over 35,000 acres and is at 80% containment at the time I am writing this. Go to this inciweb report for more information.

Picatinny Arsenal (NJ) Wildfire contained

In the last paragraph of the post I made yesterday, I reported on a wildfire that was burning at the Picatinny Arsenal in northern New Jersey. The Picatinny Arsenal is a federal facility, and when the folk at Picatinny discovered the fire they called in the NJ Forest Fire Service. I was not quite sure if one or both of the NJFFS SEATs (AGCats) based in northern NJ, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 were used on yesterday's fire. I have since been in contact with my friend at Downstown Aero asking how if one or both AgCats made drops on he fire. The answer is that both Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 made multiple drops on the fire. At the time of this writing, the folk at the NJFFS Section B-10 webpage have a picture posted from the Picatinny Fire showing a helo with a bucket, confirming reports I heard that one of the NJFFS helos was making bucket drops on the fire. According to this final sitrep on the fire from this post in the wildland fire hotlist thread on the fire, the fire was mapped at 35 acres last night, and was contained at 8 PM (20:00) EDT last night (April 16). The complete initial attack thread from the wildlandfire hotlist, including the final sitrep referenced above may be found here.

For more information on this fire you might want to read a report on
NJ.com (April 16), also referenced in the wildland fire hotlist initial attack on the fire.

Listening to NJFFS scanner online and SEAT operations

I spent some time last week listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), Division B radio scanners, available online through Radio Reference. As I understand it, the NJFFS Div B scanner feed through Radio Reference covers all or most of NJFFS Division B (Central NJ) and some frequencies in NJFFS (Division A) including some of the frequencies used in air to ground communications. Go here to see a map of the three divisions in NJ as used by the NJFFS.

While I would hardly consider myself an expert at listening to scanner, I found that I was able to pick more than I did when I first started listening to the scanner feed a year or so ago. As I understand it, many first reports of smoke come from one of the NJFFS fire towers. I have an idea about Division A fire towers v Division B fire towers, and when I am uncertain I have a list I can consult. So, assuming that the smoke is indeed located in the same Division as the reporting fire tower then I know if the fire is in Division A or B. Of course, there are times when the smoke is outside the Division, as was the case one day last week when I may  have heard a fire tower report a smoke somewhere in Pennsylvania with a discussion about where in PA the smoke might be. It stands to reason that the NJFFS will notify the appropriate agency in PA to report the smoke. With this in mind, it also stands to reason that a given NJFFS tower may be able to see a smoke in another Division.

In Division A, I am more familiar with the geography, so a might have an idea of where the smoke and/or fire being discussed is located. I continue listening and will hear ground resources (NJFFS engines manned by firefighters) are deployed to the fire. Engines assigned to Division A start with the letter "A" and so forth.

Last Friday afternoon, I was listening to the scanner about fire activity in Division A. I knew this because I recognized the location of a fire tower and recognizing some of the towns and nearby roads. At some point I heard references to airplanes, followed by what I thought were two unmistakeable references.

The first was referring to Alpha-2 being loaded and on the ramp (Grumman AgCat biplane currently assigned to the NJFFS Air Attack Base at Aeroflex-Andover (Sussex County, NJ). A short time later, I heard

"Alpha-2 is launched."

At the same time, there were references to Alpha-3 (2nd Grumman AgCat), but the specifics of the Alpha-3 reference was not clear to me. That happens to me sometimes when I am listening the online scanners.

As I sometimes do after or while listening to the online scanner, After listening to the references about some smoke and/or wildfires I went to the media to see if any media were reporting on wildfires in Division A. I continued to do so through out that evening and so no reports.

I did want to write this article about listening to the NJFFS Division B scanner online, but first I wanted to confirm that I did indeed hear correctly, that Alpha 2 was launched on Friday afternoon, and find out whether or not she did indeed make a drop on a fire. So, over the weekend, I sent an e-mail to my friend at Downstown Aero who confirmed that Alpha 2 made one drop on a small fire in Division A Friday afternoon. Alpha-3 was launched but did make a drop.

As I went to post this and was checking out my links, I see that there is 50-acre fire at the Picitinny Arsenal in northern NJ, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 are reported to by flying that fire. I'd like to thank the NJFFS Section B-10 website for this report. As I was using my internet connection most of the afternoon to update the software on one of my computers, I was unable to listen to the NJFFS Div B online scanner feed.

NJ SEATs in action and Thank-you!

Earlier this week, one of the fires I wrote about in post on April 10,where I wrote about recent wildfire activity in NJ and NY, was a 20-acre wildfire in Barnegat NJ. Speaking of this fire in an article posted after the fire was contained The Asbury Park Press had this to say:

A potentially disastrous combination — dense suburban development, tinder-dry Pine Barrens terrain and gusty winds — was defused Tuesday by firefighters’ rapid response to a brush fire on Barnegat Boulevard.

The fire scorched 20 acres, but firefighters prevented any property damage, even as the flames raced a few hundred feet across the road from the Atlantic Heights town home community.

An important contribution to the efforts of NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) wildland fire fighters and any municipal firefighters on the ground are aerial resources. The Barnegat fire is a case in point. Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602) made one drop on the Barnegat fire. One drop doesn't sound like much, but it is huge. One drop in what was probably a crucial location(s) may have been an important factor in containing this fire before homes were damaged on a day when Red Flag Warnings were up and there were high winds. Bravo-1 and firefighters on the ground doing what they do best, doing it together -- knocking down a wildfire before it damaged homes and businesses. Before it got out of control.

I understand from my friends at Downstown Aero that both Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602) and Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) worked several smaller fires earlier this week. I don't know any details, that isn't important. What is important is that these magnificent single engine airtankers (SEATs) flew a number of fires on initial attack in support of firefighters on the ground. SEATs and firefighters on the ground doing what they best, doing it together -- knocking down a wildfire before it damaged homes and businesses. Before it got out of control.

I know less of what Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 (both are Grumman AgCat Biplanes) did earlier in the week. But what I know or don't know doesn't really matter. Whether on stand-by ready to go on 10 to 15 minutes notice to fly a fire, or whether they flew fires, this resident of NJFFS Division A is so very glad that you are here. It was a little scary earlier this week, I was less scared knowing that you were here. I know that both of you were ready to go and help with the fire in NJ Meadowlands near Carlsdadt the other day. That wasn't necessary because the fire was burning towards water. But you were ready to help, that is what is important.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the SEAT pilots, support crews on the ground for all that you have done, are doing, and will do in the future to help the firefighters on the ground. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.

Alpha-3, we only have you for another eight days. Alpha-2, Bravo-1, and Charlie-2 are around for two or three more weeks (see the side bar at the right for the schedule).

Wildfire in Berks County PA

I've seen references to this fire for the last couple of days on some of the daily reports on the intelligence page of the Eastern Area Coordination Center. For example this mornings "managers briefing" reported: start date: April 9 Name: Hopewell Agency: PAS Number: PA-PAS-17120144 Acres: 400 Location: French Creek SP, Elverson PA % contained: 80 I am not all that far from PA, and want to let all of my friends in PA know that I care about what is happening in their state. So, I was somewhat alarmed when I saw reference to this article in today's post on the Firebomber Publications Blog about the fire, saying that the fire had grown to 619 acres. Pennsylvania is a large state, with many forests. I suspect that their firefighters have been busy with numerous wildfires just like we have in NJ.

Status of some of the recent wildfires in NJ/NY

Some updates on recent wildfire activity in NY and NJ that I have written about recently. The wildfire in the Meadowlands near Carlsdadt, NJ that I wrote about yesterday has been contained, see a report from NBC4 in NYC for more information. Burnout operations were done by the NJ Forest Fire Service, see this initial attack thread from the wildland fire hotlist where the acreage burned is reported at 300 acres.

The fire that I reported in Harriman State Park on April 10 is contained, see FoxNewsNY.

On April 10, I also reported on a wildfire in Manorville Fire (Long Island). That wildfire burned 1,124 acres. Manorville Fire Department Chief told Newsday on Wed. April 11 that the fire is out. See this report from Newsday. (Note unsure how long this link is publicly available).

Finally, a fire that was first reported on April 10 in wood compost pile in the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, NY continues to be monitored, see Staten Island Live for more information.

Brush fire in NJ Meadowlands

I intended to write about yesterday's wildfire activities, updating containment information as well as mentioning how NJFFS contract fixed-wings were used. Instead, I am posting about a brush fire in the NJ meadowlands not far from the Football stadium where the Giants and the Jets play and adjoining the NJ Turnpike in Bergen County. I think, but am not certain that this is outside the primary response area of the NJ Forest Fire Service. So the first responders will be local fire departments. I am going to go and watch my local news for updates and will follow-up later tonight with more information. I can say that having lived near the Meadowlands for many years, that brush fires are not uncommon. Links: NJ dot com photo gallery from ABC7 in NYC  

Update 5:45 PM on April 11, 2012 There is a nice report on the fire by The Record - North Jersey dot com with a map, some more pictures, and the video that I embedded below. They are reporting that about 60 acres have burned. The Record - North Jersey dot com talked to Tom Savia, battalion chief for the Carlstadt Fire Department:

Tom Savia, battalion chief for the Carlstadt Fire Department, said up to 60 acres of meadowlands were on fire and the wind was "killing us" in making the fire spread. Savia said firefighters could not attack the flames in the middle of the marshlands because of the dangerous conditions there and would have to let the flames proceed to the edge of the site. He said firefighters should have control of the situation Wednesday evening.

 updated on July 18, 2013: videos that I had embedded here are no longer available. :-(

Wildfire news from NJ and NY metro

Yesterday, I wrote about the South Park Fire in Burlington County, see this summary, I knew that it was being reported by various sources as being at 75% contained earlier today. I just found out that it is being reported that the fire is 100% contained at about 1,000 acres. Crews will continue to work the fire, monitoring for hot spots. Go here to see a sitrep on the fire.The Press of Atlantic City reports on this fire along with a 20-acre wildfire earlier today in Barnegat, NJ (Ocean County). The Asbury Park Press reports that the Barnegat Fire is 100% contained.

Some of you may have heard about a wildfire on the east end of Long Island in the news. That fire has burned over 1,000 acres and it is reported as being largely contained. I believe that four structures were destroyed in the blaze and three firefighters received minor injuries. See this report from NBC4 in NYC (and links to videos).

Also in NY, yesterday were the first reports of a brush fire burning in the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, NYC. Specifically, the fire is burning in a large wood debris pile. Officials say that it could be another couple of days before the fire is brought under control. For more information, there is a report on Staten Island Live.

Today while I was driving around town listening to one of NYC's news radio stations, I heard a report that there was a wildfire burning in Harriman State Park, north of NYC. Here is a short report on this wildfire from the Pleasantville-Braircliff Patch, and a second report from North Jersey dot com.

I spent a good bit of yesterday listening to the scanner for Division B of the NJ Forest Fire Service. In fact, I am listening as I write this. I heard of several reports of wildfires in Division A (north Jersey) and Division B (central Jersey). The scanner does not pick up Division C (south Jersey. For a report on yesterdays wildfire activity in northern and central Jersey see this Star Ledger article. I was listening to the scanner yesterday when I heard the first reports of what is now a 200 to 300 acre burning on the ground of Ft. Dix that has some containment as of earlier this morning.

I suspect that one of the fires that I heard being discussed on the scanner earlier today was a 20-acre wildfire in Barnegat NJ (Ocean County).  Both the Press of Atlantic City and the Asbury Park Press report that the Barnegat Fire is 100% contained. Just now I am hearing reports of what may be a new wildfire of unknown size, with NJFFS crews on route. Nice job everyone one!

The NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 website mentioned this fire (see below for the link), These are just some highlights of some wildfires that I have heard about today, and is not meant to be an all inclusive list. The NJFFS Section B10 webpage reports on some of the recent wildfires in NJ and currently has a large fire page.

Last but by no means least, I just saw Bill Gabbert's report on east coast fires in this article. He reports on some of the same fires I touched on here -- South Park Fire, Ft. Dix, Long Island -- as well as other wildfires on the east coast. Thanks Bill!

updated on July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

South Park Fire summary

I have been writing about the South Park Fire that is still burning near Tabernacle NJ in the Pine Barrens in Burlington County. I have nothing new to report, but thought I'd summarize what I reported in update # 2. At a minimum, the fire has burned about 600 acres and may have burned 1,000 acres. Twenty-five structures are or were threatened. I do not know of any mandatory evacuations, but there have been some reports of voluntary evacuations. Media reports indicate that containment is at at least 30% and may up to 50% containment.

I just talked to my friends at Downstown Aero who tell me that Charlie-1 was released from the South Park Fire, back to Downstown, at about 2:30 PM. Charlie-1 has flown a few smaller fires in Division C this afternoon. Bravo-1 is back on standby at Coyle. He also told me that in addition to the observation helo, they had one Huey with bucket working the South Fork Fire. Finally, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3, the two Grumman (biplane) Ag Cats on duty at Andover-Aeroflex were grounded due to the winds.

I am reposting some photos that my friends at Downstown Aero sent earlier today. These were taken from Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) about 7 AM this morning. They are posted below with the permission of Downstown Aero Crop Services.

updated on July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

Two Philadelphia structure firefighters dead

Yesterday and today have been bad days for both structure and wildfires in NJ/PA/NY and probably elsewhere. There have been numerous wildfires and structure files in NJ, eastern PA, Staten Island in NYC, Long Island and elsewhere.

Two structure firefighters died fighting a fire in a furniture store adjacent to an abandoned warehouse in Kensington, PA, see this report from MyFoxPhilly: Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, both assigned to Ladder 10 on the C platoon. My condolences go out to their family, friends, colleagues and those who loved them.

South Park Fire (Burlington Cnty NJ): update 2

I believe that the fire currently involves about 600 acres and is at 30 to 50% containment, see the Asbury Park Press and the Courier Post articles below. At this point, it is hoped that the fire can be contained at about 1,000 acres. The video that I embedded above of the South Park Fire is from the The Courier Post Online. Twenty-five houses are threatened. The Atlantic City Press is reporting that voluntary evacuations are in place, and I also heard these voluntary evacuations mentioned on a local noon broadcast (no link available), neither place said that the evacuations were mandatory.

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that evacuations are not in place for this six hundred acre fire, perhaps the Asbury Park Press is saying that mandatory evacuations have not been ordered. In addition, the Asbury Park Press is reporting that the investigators believe that the fire may have been "intentionally set." The Asbury Park Press article may be found here and includes a map of the fire area including the location of the command post and helipad.

Wildlandfire dot com has started an initial attack thread on the South Park Fire on their hotlist forums that may be found here.

My friends at Downstown Aero sent me three pictures taken from Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) about 7 AM this morning. They are posted below with the permission of Downstown Aero Crop Services. As of a couple of hours ago, both Bravo-1 and Charlie-1 (both are Air Tractor 602's) were working spot fires at the South Park Fire.

South Park Fire (Burlington Cnty NJ): update 1 and video

Winds Fueling Brush Fire In Tabernacle: MyFoxPHILLY.com

Here is a video report on the South Park Fire from MyFoxPhilly. My friends at Downstown Aero tell me that there is an observation helo (Delta 2) flying. One Air Tractor 602, Charlie-1, made a drop around 7 AM this morning. Last I heard is that Charlie-1 is at Coyle Field on standby with Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602). As I understand it, air ops may stop when the winds reach 40 mph.

South Park Fire- 500-1,000 acres - Burlington Cnty NJ

This just in. There is a major fire burning near Tabernacle/Woodland Twshp NJ. The fire was reported around 4 AM with early reports of 500 acres. A report at 7 AM from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 has the fire at 1,000 acres with homes threatened. Air support is supposed to start at dawn, but high winds could ground aircraft. Here is an early report on the fire from ABC6 in Philadelphia, and a slightly later report from Fox29 in Philadelphia. There is a Red Flag Warning out for today with winds that could gust as high as 45 mph. I'll follow the fire as best I can and will provide updates later.

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: final update

Yesterday I reported here and here on what turned out to be two wildfires, one small and one large, in a wildlife management area in Camden County, NJ. First, a correction to yesterday's first article. There were two helos on the fire, one was doing observations and the second did have a bucket. I don't know how long the Air Tractor 602, Charlie-1 worked the fire, but based on what my friends at Downstown Aero told me last night I believe it was longer than two hours. Don't know how much longer, perhaps into the afternoon?

When I got home last night, I found a situation report on the wildland fire hotlists reporting that the larger fire known as the Winslow Fire was at 90% containment at about 8 PM last night with an expected size of about 375 acres. For more information see an Atlantic City Press article, this article from the Asbury Park Press, and this article from the Courier Post The Courier Post article does have a link to the video, shot yesterday, that I embedded here. Kudos to all those who fought this fire on the ground (NJFFS and local firefighters) and those in the air (Downstown and the helo pilot).

RED FLAG WARNINGS are up for NJ, and adjoining areas of PA, NY, DE, and MD from 10 AM today through 8 PM tonight. A fire weather watch for the same areas is up for tomorrow, Easter Sunday.

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: update #2

A smaller fire known as the Piney Hollow Fire (25 acres) is at 100% containment. The larger fire, the Winslow Complex Incident, located at the Atlantic City Expressway (exit 31) was 50 percent contained as about 2 PM EDT. NJ Forest Fire Service officials expect this fire to burn about 375 acres, including any back buring operations.

For more information on the fire:

Situation Report (4/6/12 @1400 hrs) from Wildlandfire Hotlist
Atlantic City Press article (4/6/2012)
6ABC Philly report
slide show - Fox Philly


April 6, 2012 @ 4 PM EDT

updated July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

RED FLAG for April 6 and wildfire activity in NJ

Most of NJ and portions of eastern PA are under a RED FLAG warning today, April 6, from 11 AM through 8 PM. Thanks to my friends at the NJFFS Section B10 webpage, I am hearing reports of two wildfires totaling approximately 160 acres in southern NJ (Section C6 - Winslow Township). I understand from my friends at Downstown Aero (who just called me) that one SEAT -- an Air Tractor 602 is working the fire along with an observation helo and a helo with a bucket.

The ABC affiliate in Philadelphia was showing a live stream a little while ago. That stream has ended, at least for now, but the video that I just embedded above may be raw video taken at that time by the ABC6 helo. ABC 6 has a report on the fire and a link to some photos.

AT-602 used on small fire in Ocean County NJ

The folk at Downstown Air sent me the video that I have embedded here from the CBS station in Philadelphia. There was a small wildfire in the Forked River Section of Ocean County NJ this afternoon. The fire burned near some homes and a marina, but there were no evacuations. Bravo 1 (Air Tractor 602) made at least one drop on the fire. You will see a couple of shots of this magnificent aircraft. Having seen her up close and personal about a month ago (go here), it is special to see her in a video doing one of the things that she does best, fighting fires in support of the firefighters on the ground. Bravo-1 flies out of Coyle Field in Burlington County, NJ. According to the report that I just saw on the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10, the fire was contained at 5:30 PM, having burned 6 acres of marsh and 1/2 an acre of forest. In addition, the Lacey Patch reports on the fire.

CL-215 Water Scoopers in MN

This is a nice short video where the pilot shows off one of two CL-215 Water Scoopers used by the MN DNR for aerial firefighting. The Water Scoopers are based at Brainerd DNR Air Tanker Base on the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. There is a short article on the two scoopers that may be found here, that includes the video that I embedded above and a couple of photos. I'd like to thank Michael Archer who included a link to this article in his April 4 Firebomber Publications Blog.

Air Attack - TX Spring 2011 Wildfires

Conair AT 802s back from Australia

Conair, located in Abbotsford, British Columbia in Canada sent two of their Air Tractor 802's to Australia for their spring and summer fire season. The two 802's are now back in Abbotsford BC. A friend of mine sent me a link to an article by ABC in Australia posted as the two pilots ferrying the 802's back to BC were starting their journey back home. The two 802's flew together on their trip back. The article includes a link to a nice audio interview of the two ferry pilots, Scott Gunter and Ray Dyson. Here is a direct link to the audio interview.