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).