Visit to Downstown: SEAT operations on larger fires

In the case of a larger fire, for example a fire burning in trees, or even a crown fire, the SEAT will fly indirect attack. In indirect attack, the SEAT drops outside the flames. And often in indirect attack, the SEATs will start their drops on the flank (side) of the fire as opposed to the head of a fire.

One example of a larger fire where Charlie 1 flew indirect attack was the recent Tabernacle Fire. This fire began over night and by daylight the fire had burned 500 to 600 acres. Charlie 1 (AT 602) arrived at the fire about 6:30 AM, flying around the fire for at least an hour sizing up the fire, providing observations, and helping to direct ground operations. Her pilot held the load before dropping while he was providing these observations. After the ground troops were in place and they knew what they had Charlie 1's pilot dropped her load on the fire.

In closing out this article, I must say that I am struck by the roll that the SEATs in NJ play in providing aerial observations and fire size-up whether they be small fires or large fires. I have to be honest and say that I had not known about the role the SEATs play in observations before I started to work on these articles. And my respect for the SEAT pilots have increased. In the air five minutes after receiving a dispatch order, Flying the plane, circling the fire and making observations sometimes for an hour or more providing observations, making the drop, more communications.

Next up on May 25, some reflections on my visit with Downstown and SEAT operations in NJ