I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.
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Friday, August 29, 2014
Happy Camp Complex Fire (CA) -- Temporary Helibase (Aug. 21, 2014)
direct link to NewsWatch12 video on youtube
This video shows a temporary helibase that was set up at the Illinois Valley Airport in support of the Happy Camp Fire on or about August 20, 2014. I don't know if the helibase is still operating. I do know that as I write this that the Happy Camp Complex (started on August 12 by lighting), burning in Klamath National Forest (CA) has burned 44,549 acres with only 20 percent containment. Evacuations are in place, see Bill Gabbert's article that he wrote earlier today with information about the evacuations along with some maps.
The video that I embedded above interested me because I got to see some of the activities on the base, the images of all the helos from type 1 to type 3, and the temporary control tower. More importantly, the video speaks to what I consider an important safety issue, the fleet of helos was grounded the morning the video was shot (I believe on Thursday Aug. 21) because of a smoke layer over the Happy Camp Fire. The smoke layer, caused by an inversion, had the effect of grounded the helos because it wasn't safe to fly. I wrote about inversions in an article on January 12, 2010 (includes link to other articles in a series I wrote on Flying Fires: Fog, Smoke, and VFR or IFR)
Being somewhat geeky, I was wondering what kind of information I might be able dig up about smoke conditions over the Happy Camp Complex Fires in Klamath National Forest. I came across the California Smoke Information Blog thanks to some information posted on Inciweb's Happy Complex page (accessed on 8/29/14 about 4:45 PM). I was able to find a Smoke impact summary for the Klamath National Forest uploaded on August 21st. They also shared a Happy Camp Smoke Video (8/21/14) that I am embedding below:
The most recent smoke impact summary (August 29, 2014) from the California Smoke Information Blog is posted here. These reports go into smoke and weather conditions at Klamath. I'll let those of you who are interested read the reports that I have linked to here. Interesting stuff in the reports.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
DC-10 Tankers in OR and CA
I have been thinking about the wildland fire crews working the fires in Oregon recently, and was looking around for wildfire news from Oregon when I came upon this recent video report on the DC-10 tankers at Rouge Valley Tanker Base in Oregon. So, I am sharing it with you. The DC-10 tankers with their ability to lay down a long line of retardant are an important weapon in the aerial wildland fire fighting arsenal working to support the crews on the ground.
Speaking of the DC-10, Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation has a nice article an article that he posted today on DC-10 tankers that you might want to look at.
When I hear from my friend Steve Konrad I'll post something here. It is the middle of fire season, so I may not hear from him for a few weeks. Recall that I've shared some of his videos here, for example this video from Sept. 2013 and another video from Sept. 2012 showing a back burn at night.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Junction Fire, Madera County CA (100% contained)
direct link to video
In my daily wonderings on the internet this morning< I came across the video that I embedded above. You see engines responding to the Junction Fire in Oakhurst, CA on August 18th along with some footage of the fire itself. As coincidence has it, a short time later I saw that a friend of mine had sent me a report from ABC30 (KFSN), updated on August 22nd, the report with two videos plus fire photos may be found here at ABC30 (KFSN). If you look at the KFSN videos, you will see some nice footage of one of the DC-10 tankers. A Suburban Propane facility was damaged by the fire with two propane tanks exploding. Residences and outbuildings were destroyed.
I checked the CAL FIRE incident web page (you might have to scroll down a bit to see the summary report for the Junction Fire) for an update on the Junction Fire. The fire started last Monday, Aug. 18 and is now contained having burned 612 acres. A total of 47 buildings were reported as destroyed, I'm not quite sure of the exact breakdown of residences and outbuildings destroyed. Evacuations were in place and were lifted last week. The final detailed report for the incident may be found here (I'm not quite sure how long this link will work but it should work for awhile after I post this article).
While the fire was contained by the time I found the video and KFSN news report, I was struck by the number of people impacted by this wildfire. While some lost their homes, and the CAL FIRE incident report mentions three injuries, I suppose that it could have been worse. In addition to seeing footage of one of the DC-10 tankers working the fire, I saw some footage somewhere (not in the KFSN report I linked to) of a helo and bucket working the fire. Perhaps other aircraft worked the fire as well.
Friday, August 22, 2014
More on eastern crews working western USA wildfires
I wrote about eastern and southern state wildland firefighting crews working western wildfires in an August 18th post. I'd like to thank one of my buddies who helped me out by pointing the way to where I could keep current on eastern USA state crews working wildfires outside their state. I'm keeping it simple by focusing on eastern crews. I go to the webpage for the Eastern Area Coordination Center and access two files, one under logistical operations-crews and the other under predictive services-intelligence.
Under logistical operations-crews, I access a report (updated daily when crews are on assignment) called the Interagency Resource Representative IARR Report (this link may access a different document than the one I am referring to). This report lists all eastern wildland firefighting crews that are on assignment outside the eastern area. the fires where they are working, and what they are doing. The crews are listed by a short identifier. Some of the identifiers are easy (I think) to figure out as I'll see the state abbreviation followed by S and in some cases a number.
For example, as I write this, NJS #2 (a crew from the New Jersey designated as #2) is working the Deception Complex fires in Oakridge OR. Other crews from the eastern area that are working the Deception Complex include (assuming that my identification is correct) include crews from the following states: Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, and New Jersey. There are three other crews working that fire that I'm not including because I am unfortunately unable to decipher their short identifier.
A crew from Pennsylvania is listed as traveling home, they were working the Happy Camp Complex of fires in Happy Camp, CA.
A Wisconsim crew is currently assigned to the Initial Attack in the Mt. Hood National Forest in Estacada, OR.
Crews from Delaware and another crew from Pennsylvania are being released from the Upper Falls Fire (Winthrop WA) and will be reassigned.
A second crew from Michigan that was working the Johnson Bar Fire (Kooskia, ID) has been demobilized and is returning home, as is a second crew from Minnesota (had worked the Seepay Fire in Ronan, MT).
Finally, a second document that may be helpful, is found under predictive services-intelligence. It is the current morning briefing and includes a summary of eastern crews out on assignment along with current wildfire activity in the eastern area.
Added 8:50 PM on Aug 22, 2014: The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) has a map where the different Geographic Area Coordination Centers are mapped (GACC). While I believe that the NICC site and the other GACC sites also have a predictive services and a logistics page, they may be set up differently. However, you may be able to find information about where wildland firefighting crews in your area are working.
Under logistical operations-crews, I access a report (updated daily when crews are on assignment) called the Interagency Resource Representative IARR Report (this link may access a different document than the one I am referring to). This report lists all eastern wildland firefighting crews that are on assignment outside the eastern area. the fires where they are working, and what they are doing. The crews are listed by a short identifier. Some of the identifiers are easy (I think) to figure out as I'll see the state abbreviation followed by S and in some cases a number.
For example, as I write this, NJS #2 (a crew from the New Jersey designated as #2) is working the Deception Complex fires in Oakridge OR. Other crews from the eastern area that are working the Deception Complex include (assuming that my identification is correct) include crews from the following states: Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, and New Jersey. There are three other crews working that fire that I'm not including because I am unfortunately unable to decipher their short identifier.
A crew from Pennsylvania is listed as traveling home, they were working the Happy Camp Complex of fires in Happy Camp, CA.
A Wisconsim crew is currently assigned to the Initial Attack in the Mt. Hood National Forest in Estacada, OR.
Crews from Delaware and another crew from Pennsylvania are being released from the Upper Falls Fire (Winthrop WA) and will be reassigned.
A second crew from Michigan that was working the Johnson Bar Fire (Kooskia, ID) has been demobilized and is returning home, as is a second crew from Minnesota (had worked the Seepay Fire in Ronan, MT).
Finally, a second document that may be helpful, is found under predictive services-intelligence. It is the current morning briefing and includes a summary of eastern crews out on assignment along with current wildfire activity in the eastern area.
Added 8:50 PM on Aug 22, 2014: The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) has a map where the different Geographic Area Coordination Centers are mapped (GACC). While I believe that the NICC site and the other GACC sites also have a predictive services and a logistics page, they may be set up differently. However, you may be able to find information about where wildland firefighting crews in your area are working.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Rim Fire one year later - debate over plans for forest recovery
In my wonderings, thanks to Michael Archer's Wildfire News of the Day on August 19, 2014, I saw this interesting story (hopefully embedded above) on a debate surrounding forest recovery in the aftermath of the Rim Fire of one year ago. I wrote a two part series last November on the Burned Area Emergency Response on November 6, 2013 and November 11, 2013 (with video of burned area).
A direct link to the National Public Radio article and audio may be found here. I post this without comment, I'll let you decide what you think about this debate.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Hurricane Camille -- 45 years ago (Aug 16-21, 1969)
direct link to video on youtube
Some of you know that I have an interest in weather and meteorology stemming from my interest in aviation. So, I thought I'd pause today to remember Hurricane Camille, a category 5 Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.
Hard to say how well I remember Hurricane Camille, because I have heard about the damage she left on the Gulf Coast. After she was downgraded to a low pressure system she dumped over 25 inches of rain in a corner of Virginia. I was getting ready to return to high school (20 miles north of Baltimore) at the time so the rains that hit Virginia were south of us. I suspect that heard about her through TV news reports.
A map of her track may be found here on the facebook page of the US National Weather Service Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center.
Some of you know that I have an interest in weather and meteorology stemming from my interest in aviation. So, I thought I'd pause today to remember Hurricane Camille, a category 5 Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.
Hard to say how well I remember Hurricane Camille, because I have heard about the damage she left on the Gulf Coast. After she was downgraded to a low pressure system she dumped over 25 inches of rain in a corner of Virginia. I was getting ready to return to high school (20 miles north of Baltimore) at the time so the rains that hit Virginia were south of us. I suspect that heard about her through TV news reports.
A map of her track may be found here on the facebook page of the US National Weather Service Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Wildland firefighting crews from the east and south helping out west
As many of you know, wildfire fighters from around the U.S. are working wildfires out west. The video report above is an interview by NECN of MA Fire Warden David Celino and MA state fire fighter Roy Liard. The crew from MA worked the Chiwaukum Complex Wildfire in Washington, returning from a two week deployment late last week. Another article about this deployment may be found on Gazettenet.
A wildland firefighting crew from Alabama (article from the Gdsden Times returned from a two week deployment last week. They were working the Carlton Complex Wildfire in Washington.
Wildland firefighting crews from Delaware (article from the State of Delaware) and Pennsylvania (article from the Patriot News). I suspect that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service may have sent wildland firefighting crews to help fight wildfires out west, but I have no article to link to at the moment.
I'd like to thank all of my friends from the east and the south and all the other crews that I am leaving out who are deployed out west to help fight the wildfires. I think all of you are wonderful. Thanks so much! Stay safe everyone.
Added on August 21, 2014: After I posted this article, I found a short article dated August 15, 2014 about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service sending an engine (and crew) to help with the wildfires burning out west, go here for the story from 1strespondernews.
Added on August 21, 2014: After I posted this article, I found a short article dated August 15, 2014 about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service sending an engine (and crew) to help with the wildfires burning out west, go here for the story from 1strespondernews.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Smokejumpers: Redding California
direct link to video
I have a deep and abiding respect for all of our wildland firefighters, in the air and on the ground. I always enjoying watching videos of smokejumpers and when this one came across my desk today, thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B-10 website weekly video page I knew that I had to share it with you.
Thanks to all smokejumpers everywhere for all you do.
Stay safe out there.
I have a deep and abiding respect for all of our wildland firefighters, in the air and on the ground. I always enjoying watching videos of smokejumpers and when this one came across my desk today, thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B-10 website weekly video page I knew that I had to share it with you.
Thanks to all smokejumpers everywhere for all you do.
Stay safe out there.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Flooding rains in Long Island (NY)
direct link to report with video
Continuing, more impressive rainfall totals on Long Island, NY. Looking at report below from the NWS New York office, 13.10 inches of rain (storm total) at Mac Arthur Airport on Islip (Long Island) NY. Much of it occurring in a three hour period from 4:56 AM to 7:56 AM.
I hope this is a link to a current map from the NWS of rainfall and flooding reports on Long Island. This is the first time that I have linked (on 8/13/14 at 9:55 AM EDT) to this particular mapping display. I believe that the rainfall observations are good only for the preceding 24 hour period from when I accessed the map. I'll keep an eye on this link and will update or delete later as necessary.
000 NOUS41 KOKX 131234 PNSOKX CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179-140034- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT SPOTTER REPORTS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 834 AM EDT WED AUG 13 2014 THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 15 HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/NYC ********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL******************** LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS RAINFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY... BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT 1.34 800 AM 8/13 ASOS DANBURY AIRPORT 0.78 703 AM 8/13 ASOS ...NEW HAVEN COUNTY... NEW HAVEN 2.03 702 AM 8/13 ASOS MERIDEN 0.75 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...NEW LONDON COUNTY... GROTON AIRPORT 2.17 820 AM 8/13 ASOS NEW JERSEY ...BERGEN COUNTY... TETERBORO 0.56 706 AM 8/13 ASOS WESTWOOD 0.54 645 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...ESSEX COUNTY... NEWARK AIRPORT 0.58 800 AM 8/13 ASOS CALDWELL AIRPORT 0.41 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...HUDSON COUNTY... NORTH BERGEN 0.83 745 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER NEW YORK ...KINGS COUNTY... MIDWOOD 1.34 706 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...NASSAU COUNTY... WANTAGH 7.84 825 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER MERRICK 6.81 749 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER BELLMORE 5.20 830 AM 8/13 PUBLIC LONG BEACH 4.64 729 AM 8/13 PUBLIC PLAINVIEW 4.61 640 AM 8/13 PUBLIC SYOSSET 4.01 658 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER FLORAL PARK 2.80 745 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER BAYVILLE 2.63 730 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER MALVERNE 0.98 700 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...NEW YORK COUNTY... CENTRAL PARK 0.70 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...ORANGE COUNTY... MONTGOMERY AIRPORT 0.65 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...QUEENS COUNTY... NYC/JFK AIRPORT 3.19 800 AM 8/13 ASOS NYC/LA GUARDIA 0.77 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...SUFFOLK COUNTY... ISLIP AIRPORT 13.10 800 AM 8/13 ASOS HOLBROOK 10.82 703 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE ISLIP 9.80 715 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER DEER PARK 8.30 830 AM 8/13 PUBLIC RONKONKOMA 8.20 640 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER FARMINGVILLE 7.73 800 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER CENTEREACH 5.93 730 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE EAST FARMINGDALE 4.93 800 AM 8/13 ASOS MEDFORD 4.45 800 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER CENTERPORT 3.18 700 AM 8/13 CO-OP OBSERVER UPTON 1.74 800 AM 8/13 NWS OFFICE STONY BROOK 1.59 515 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER SHIRLEY AIRPORT 1.15 800 AM 8/13 ASOS WESTHAMPTON AIRPORT 0.68 800 AM 8/13 ASOS 1 NNE MONTAUK 0.14 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...WESTCHESTER COUNTY... WHITE PLAINS AIRPORT 0.85 800 AM 8/13 ASOS **********************24 HOUR RAINFALL********************** LOCATION 24 HOUR TIME/DATE COMMENTS RAINFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY... 3 SSE BROOKFIELD 0.67 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...MIDDLESEX COUNTY... 3 WSW EAST HAMPTON 0.93 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS NEW JERSEY ...BERGEN COUNTY... 1 W TENAFLY 0.71 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS WNW OAKLAND 0.16 720 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 1 ESE OAKLAND 0.08 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...ESSEX COUNTY... 1 SE MAPLEWOOD TWP 0.72 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 1 NE CEDAR GROVE TWP 0.62 600 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...HUDSON COUNTY... N HARRISON 0.58 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...UNION COUNTY... 1 NE WESTFIELD 0.73 645 AM 8/13 COCORAHS NEW YORK ...NASSAU COUNTY... W FLORAL PARK 2.53 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...PUTNAM COUNTY... 8 NE COLD SPRINGS 0.14 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 4 ESE BEACON 0.08 620 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...QUEENS COUNTY... 1 SW MIDDLE VILLAGE 1.43 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...RICHMOND COUNTY... 1 SE STATEN ISLAND 0.73 730 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...WESTCHESTER COUNTY... 2 NW SOUTH SALEM 0.72 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS $$ JP
Flooding rains in South Jersey and adjoining States
direct link to video
Very impressive rain totals in southern NJ, Deleware, Maryland, and Long Island. Reports of 5 to 9 inches of rain in those areas.
000
NOUS41 KPHI 131048
PNSPHI
DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055-
060>062-067>071-132248-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
648 AM EDT WED AUG 13 2014
THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN FOR THE STORM THAT
AFFECTED OUR REGION. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE
AT WEATHER.GOV/PHI
********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************
LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
RAINFALL OF
/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT
DELAWARE
...NEW CASTLE COUNTY...
GLASGOW 3.42 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
BLACKBIRD 3.08 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
MIDDLETOWN 3.05 700 PM 8/12 TRAINED SPOTTER
NEWARK 2.71 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
NEW CASTLE 2.65 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
WILMINGTON AIRPORT 2.51 200 AM 8/13 ASOS
MARYLAND
...CECIL COUNTY...
ELKTON 2.68 930 PM 8/12 TRAINED SPOTTER
...KENT COUNTY...
ROCK HALL 4.60 850 PM 8/12 SOCIAL MEDIA
GALENA 3.64 545 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 SE BETTERTON 3.17 715 PM 8/12 MESONET
...QUEEN ANNE`S COUNTY...
ROMANCOKE 8.47 100 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE
CENTREVILLE 7.60 240 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
CENTREVILLE LANDING 6.06 930 PM 8/12 MESONET
STEVENSVILLE 3.57 930 PM 8/12 MESONET
NEW JERSEY
...ATLANTIC COUNTY...
ESTELL MANOR 6.17 630 AM 8/13 CO-OP OBSERVER
ATLANTIC CITY AIRPOR 5.58 200 AM 8/13 ASOS
MULLICA TWP 4.14 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
OCEANVILLE 3.93 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
SOMERS POINT 2.40 500 AM 8/13 PUBLIC
...BURLINGTON COUNTY...
CHATSWORTH 4.76 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
TABERNACLE 2.04 300 AM 8/13 PUBLIC
...CAMDEN COUNTY...
BLUE ANCHOR 3.96 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
...CAPE MAY COUNTY...
WOODBINE 2.68 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
MILLVILLE AIRPORT 8.94 300 AM 8/13 ASOS
NEWPORT 8.60 400 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 NW LEAMINGS MILL 6.40 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
2 SSE NORTH VINELAND 5.22 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
1 SE RAMMEL MILL 4.33 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
GREENWICH 2.49 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
...GLOUCESTER COUNTY...
3 W FRANKLIN TWP 5.19 1230 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
WASHINGTON TWP 2.91 110 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
...MONMOUTH COUNTY...
MANASQUAN 5.83 515 AM 8/13 MESONET
WALL TWP 4.94 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
SEA GIRT 4.56 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
BELMAR AIRPORT 3.28 500 AM 8/13 AWOS
...OCEAN COUNTY...
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TW 7.50 200 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
MANAHAWKIN 7.25 200 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
2 NNE STAFFORD TWP 7.25 200 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
POINT PLEASANT 5.90 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
BRICK TWP 5.40 300 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 SSW PINEWALD 5.27 115 AM 8/13 MESONET
SEASIDE HEIGHTS 4.59 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
TOMS RIVER 4.39 230 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
LAKEWOOD 4.02 515 AM 8/13 MESONET
BARNEGAT LIGHT 3.67 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
TOMS RIVER AIRPORT 3.29 200 AM 8/13 AWOS
...SALEM COUNTY...
WOODSTOWN 2.53 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
$$
GORSE
Monday, August 11, 2014
Wildfire in Sweden
For the last couple of weeks I was busy working on a project that took up much of my available time. In spite of that, I did have an awareness of what was happening wildfire wise. I heard a couple of reports on National Public Radio about the then current significant wildfires burning out west. Thanks to Mike Archer's Wildfire News of the Day I was able to read the headlines about wildfire news. In addition, I am grateful for some friends who periodically send me updates of news about tankers and helicopters working fire in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere.
One of the wildfires that I heard about last week was a wildfire in Sweden. I understand that this was the worst wildfire in Sweden in quite some time, and one person is reported to have died in the fire. By now this wildfire may be in the category of old news. For example here is an article on the Wall Street Journal Online dated August 5th (with video) that Bill Gabbert referenced in an article he posted on he first posted on August 5th with updates on the 6th and the 7th. Here is a link to a video (in Swedish)
Here is a satellite photo of the Swedish wildfire from earth observatory taken on or about August 4th.
As I was working on this article, an article in English with news of the wildfire in Sweden came across my desk: dated August 10th from The Local: Sweden's News in English. According to this article, there is concern that the wildfire may flare up again. Fixed-wing aircraft on loan to Sweden from Italy and France will be staying in Sweden through August 15th according to this report. Further while some evacuations were lifted over the weekend, there is concern that more evacuations could be put in place. Some twenty homes have been destroyed.
The wildfire in Sweden that I first read about last week, serves as a recurrent reminder to me that wildfires occur around the world, not just in the United States and Canada.
Revised on October 12, 2015 to removed a dead link. Also, the last edition of Mike Archers Wildfire News of the Day will be October 30, 2015.
One of the wildfires that I heard about last week was a wildfire in Sweden. I understand that this was the worst wildfire in Sweden in quite some time, and one person is reported to have died in the fire. By now this wildfire may be in the category of old news. For example here is an article on the Wall Street Journal Online dated August 5th (with video) that Bill Gabbert referenced in an article he posted on he first posted on August 5th with updates on the 6th and the 7th. Here is a link to a video (in Swedish)
Here is a satellite photo of the Swedish wildfire from earth observatory taken on or about August 4th.
As I was working on this article, an article in English with news of the wildfire in Sweden came across my desk: dated August 10th from The Local: Sweden's News in English. According to this article, there is concern that the wildfire may flare up again. Fixed-wing aircraft on loan to Sweden from Italy and France will be staying in Sweden through August 15th according to this report. Further while some evacuations were lifted over the weekend, there is concern that more evacuations could be put in place. Some twenty homes have been destroyed.
The wildfire in Sweden that I first read about last week, serves as a recurrent reminder to me that wildfires occur around the world, not just in the United States and Canada.
Revised on October 12, 2015 to removed a dead link. Also, the last edition of Mike Archers Wildfire News of the Day will be October 30, 2015.
Friday, August 08, 2014
Fire Shelter Deployment
All wildland firefighters working on the ground carry fire shelters, practice deploying fire shelters during their annual training. The hope is that they never have to deploy fire shelters. Watch the 10 minute video to learn more about deploying fire shelters.
direct link to video
Video from Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, for more information on fire shelters to this page from NIFC.
direct link to video
Video from Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, for more information on fire shelters to this page from NIFC.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
About grass fires
Over the course of the years that I have been writing about aerial wildland firefighting, I have heard a lot about grass fires. So, when this video came across my desk a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had to watch this 25 minute training video from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. I have a new appreciation for the dangers of wildland firefighting, whether a grass fire or a fire in another fuel. In addition to learning how wildland firefighters stay safe while fighting grass fires, you will hear about an entrapment that did not have a good outcome and you hear from another wildland firefighter who was burned in a grass fire share his experiences.I share it here out of respect for what all wildland firefighters do to help protect us from wildfires.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Monday, August 04, 2014
Wildfires in treated versus untreated fuels
In writing about aerial wildland firefighting, a lot of the focus is on tankers dropping retardant on or near wildfires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. In this 16 minute from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) you will learn about the difference between how wildfires burn when treated with retardant compared with wildfires burning in untreated fuels.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Friday, August 01, 2014
La Grande Air Attack, Pt 2 of 2
Continuing with Part 2 on Air Attack Mission Overview, I posted part 1 on July 30th, here is part 2 of the 2 part Air Attack Mission Overview by Larry Aragon. Allow about 14 minutes to watch the video.
direct link to video
direct link to video