Take-off and Landing a DC-3

I wanted to find a nice airplane video to share with you on this New Years Eve, so I spent a couple of hours this morning looking at various videos until I came upon this video from AVweb that I embed here. You will see John Sessions of the Historic Flight Foundations getting some advice from Don Gryder in his then newly renovated DC-3.

Enjoy.

For those who will be out and about on this New Year Eve, safe travels. Happy New Year everyone!


direct link to video

The Shepard (Frederick Forsyth) read by Alan Maitland

One of my favorite aviation stories is Frederick Forsyth's The Shepard as read by Alan Maitland. Alan was a radio broadcaster with CBC who read Forsyth's The Shepard on many of his Christmas Eve Broadcasts. A friend of mine first told me about The Shepard five years ago, and sharing this video with you has become a tradition. This is the fifth year that I have embedded this video here. Happy Holidays everyone, safe travels for those of you who are traveling.



direct link to video

Happy and safe holidays everyone!!

Malheur (Heli-) Rappel Crew

It has been awhile since I wrote about or shared videos about heli-rappeling. According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology (scroll down to "rappelling"), (heli-)rappelling is the

Technique of landing specifically trained and certified firefighters from hovering helicopters; involves sliding down ropes with the aid of friction-producing devices.  

In the video that I embed below from Feener Productions, you will see the Malheur Rappel Crew in action.


direct link to video

Chuchupate Helitack

Continuing with sharing wildland firefighting crew videos, here is another helitack crew video, this one is from the Chuchupate H-530 Helitack Crew (USFS-Los Padres National Forest) summarizing thier 2013 season. I enjoyed the footage of their helo, cockpit shots as well as external shots. There is also some footage of tankers and helos dropping as well footage of the Chuchupate Crew working fires. Allow just over 18 minutes to watch the video. 

direct link to video on youtube

Mesa Verde Helitack (2013 season)

Continuing with sharing videos from wildland firefighting crews, here is a nice video summarizing the Mesa Verde Helitack crew's 2013 season. You will see some nice helo footage as well as footage of tankers and helos dropping to support the crews on the ground.


direct link to video on youtube

About being a Geronimo Hot Shot

As you may have figured out, I've been sharing videos showing various wildland firefighting crews in action. Today, listen to the Geronimo Hotshots talk about what they do. They are a Native American Crew.


direct link to video

Adious (original) T-910, gone but not forgotten (2 of 2)

I first learned about you from a friend in May 2009 when I first started writing about aerial wildland firefighting, and I first wrote about you on May 16, 2009. Modified by 10 Tanker Air Carrier for firefighting, you carry 11,600 gallons of retardant — four times more retardant than most other tankers flying today. You can put down a line of retardant one mile long (see the 10Tanker's “the plane” page for more information about DC-10 tankers. By the time I first learned about you, you had been flying fires since 2006. 

I wanted to be able to share about the number of fires that your flew, so I wrote 10 Tanker the other day, asking for some of your statistics, and Rck Hatton, President and CEO of 10 Tanker Air Carrier responded providing some statistics for T-910 and their plans for the future:

In nine fire seasons this aircraft was flown 761 missions on 156 fires. This required 805 flight hours, and dispensed 8,827,600 U.S. Gals. of suppressant. This would have taken more than four times this amount of flying by any other aircraft type available.

While the aircraft is being retired, it is being replaced with a newer DC-10 which will carry the “910” number. We at 10 Tanker Air Carrier are very proud of the fire-fighting capability that this aircraft and her sister ships 911 and 912 have provided the nation thus far. We are looking forward to contracting and building a fleet of up to eight DC-10s to continue affording the U.S. and other countries this innovative product in more locations (Rick Hatton).

Wow, your numbers show how much of a difference you made, 761 missions on 156 fires. Over 8,800,000 gallons of retardant, that is a lot of retardant. 

I remember the first videos that I saw in 2009 of you dropping on a fire and being impressed by the long line of retardant that you lay down and thinking that you can do a lot of good on a fire. Over the years, I have seen you and your sisters numerous times either on videos and perhaps once or twice on a live stream feed of aircraft working fires. I never tired of seeing you or your sisters dropping on a fire and the friends who have watched you from the ground while you were over a fire tell me how special it was to see you. My respect and love for you has only grown over the subsequent years.

In the summer of 2011 the US Forest Service terminated its contract with Aero Union resulting in the loss of their P-3 Orions from the airtanker fleet, (here for more information), I wondered what would happen. It was August and there were a lot of weeks left in the fire season. Then I remembered that you were there fighting fires, and I felt better. You and your sister (T-911) made a big difference as did our friends from Canada and the MAFFs. After that I became more aware of your presence over wildfires and everywhere you went, you were loved. You made a difference, a big difference. In the months and years since then, you and your sisters continued to make a difference, and you are loved.

But you are special, you were the first. And I will always love you for that. You lived to be retired. I know that there will be another DC-10 T-910, but she won’t be you. You can not be replaced. I will miss you. My you fly in favorable tail winds . . .

T-910 dropping on Goff Fire (2012)

direct link to video

T-910 dropping on Zaca Fire (2007)

direct link to video

T-910 over the Humboldt Fire (2008?)

direct link to video

2014 Fire Season - Jackson Hotshots

No, I haven't forgotten that I promised the write my reflections on the retirement of DC-10 T-910. To that end, I spent some time this afternoon writing a draft of the article that I want to post, but it needs a little more work before I share the article. So, I will be posting my reflections tomorrow.

In the meantime, I want to share another video from highlighting the 2014 fire season of a hotshot crew. Here is a video about the Jackson Hotshots.


direct link to video

Adios (original) T-910 (1 of 2)

I was in San Diego California four weeks ago when I first learned that 10 Tanker retired T-910 after reading Bill Gabbert's article of November 14. She got a great send off and tribute when she took off for the last time from Castle Airport, her base since 2013.

I thought that you might enjoy reading some of the comments from 10 Tanker Air Carrier's Facebook Page after she took her final flight, go here for a nice photo of her last take off along with some comments and photos and a video shared by many who love her. Please take the time to scroll through the comments, check out the photos and the video and shed a tear or two for a maginficant airplane.

I'll be posting an article on December 13 where I will share some reflections of my own on T-910. But in the mean time, I want to share a video with you.

direct link to video from AOPA Live on DC-10 Tankers

Mad River Hotshots

I love watching videos shot by groundpounders. Here is a nice video shot by the Mad River Hotshots summarizing their 2014 season. Thanks Mad River Hotshots for all you did to keep us safe! You'll some footage of tankers and helos. Remember tankers and helos do what they do to support the crews on the ground.

Enjoy! Allow just under 24 minutes to watch the video.


direct link to video on youtube

Southern California rains: update on 12/5/14

I believe that this will be the final update that I will be making on the rains that California experienced this week (December 2 through 4). I have the Facebook Page for the San Diego office of the US National Weather Service bookmarked. When I went there this morning, I saw a nice graphic that they had posted mapping rainfall totals (3-day observed rainfall ending 12/4/14 at 5 PMPST) for portions of Southern California (go here to see the rainfall graphic). Here are some of these rainfall totals:

San Diego: 2.53 inches
Ramona: 1.3 inches
Riverside: 2.46 inches
Los Angeles: 1.32 inches
Chino: 2.82 inches
Palomar Mountain: 3.55 inches

I was also curious about mudslides. I found this report from MyFoxLA (with video) on December 4th about mud slide conditions in the LA area: An area of the Pacific Coast Highway north of Malibu (Ventura County) reopened on Thursday, 40 people in Riverside County were rescued after being stranded by flash flooding and seven homes on Gilman Springs Rd in San Jacinto CA (north of Hemet) were evacuated due to the risk of another mud slide.

Here is a report from early in the day on December 4 from MSN on the storms effect on the State of California.

Finally I close with two articles from the LA Times:

• How much rain to end the drought in CA?
• A study saying that the current drought in CA is the worst in 1,200 years

Rain in Southern California, a double edged sword?

It started to rain in Southern California on the night of December 1st. Any rain in drought stricken Southern California is a good thing.  But with the benefits of the rain to a very dry area comes the down side. The other edge of the sword. With these rain storms comes mud slides, and areas that are especially at risk include the hillsides of areas recently burned by wildfires. Denuded of trees because of a fire, the hills become unstable in the rain resulting in mud flows. The US National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard spoke of this risk in a weather story posted on their Facebook page on December 3, 2014:

“There will be some instability across portions of Los Angeles County later this afternoon and evening into the overnight hours. A flash flood watch remains in effect for the Los Angeles County burn areas through early Thursday morning. Although showers will be mostly moderate to locally heavy at times. With the possibility of local higher hourly rainfall rates and given the expected rainfall amounts in the foothills and mountains, there will be the potential for flash flooding in and around the recent burn areas is a concern through early Thursday morning. Residents close to the recent burn areas (including the Springs, Colby, Powerhouse and Williams burn areas) should be prepared for mud and debris flows.”

Some of you may recall:

The Powerhouse Fire that burned 30,274 acres in the Angeles National Forest in June of 2013.

The Springs Fire that burned 24,251 acres in May of 2013 in Ventura County.

Colby Fire that burned 1,952 acres in the Angeles National Forest in January of 2014.

In Ventura County, residents in areas throated by mud slides were evacuated, see this story from KPBS (12/2/14)

According to this report from CBS News on December 2nd evacuations were planned in Silverado in Orange County because of expected mud slides and a weak rain system on November 30th caused a mud slide that blocked a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu.

I found this story from CBS Los Angeles (12/3/14) about the effects of the 2-day rainfall.

Moving further south, here is a report on the rain storm from CBS8 in San Diego.

Reflections: Drought affecting Southern CA (including Mt. Wilson)

I was in southern California for the week of November 17th when I began my series on Mt. Wilson. As fate would have it, there were about 48 hours of Red Flag Warnings for areas east of where I was staying north of San Diego. If memory serves, the Red Flag Warnings included the Angeles National Forest where Mt. Wilson is located.

Before going to southern California I was aware of the severe drought that according to my my meteorologist friends in souther California has been ongoing for three years. As fate would have it, there is a rain storm expected this week in Southern California, and several of these storms will be needed to alleviate the drought in Southern California. I wonder what will happen if there is another year of extreme to exceptional drought?

As I write this, Southern California ranges from severe to exceptional drought depending on the exact location. I believe but am not certain that Mt. Wilson lies in an area that is in an exceptional drought (the most severe drought category). For information on the current status of droughts in the U.S. go to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

As you can guess while I was in San Diego County, I was very much aware of the drought and the fire danger. I did my best to use as little water as possible, but admit that some of my bad and wasteful water habits were a little hard to dispel. But I got better as the week wore on. I thought of my friends at the Mt. Wilson Observatory, wondering how they were making out. I suspect that everyone in southern California is in the same boat, more or less, as my friends at the Mount Wilson Observatory — too little water and serious water conservation efforts are under way.

I was and am scared for all of Southern California and all the other dry wildfire prone areas out west. I think that I am more scared now that I recently spent a week in Southern California. Whether or not there are active Red Flag Warnings, it won’t take that much for a wildfire to start that could, depending on winds and other factors, threaten Mount Wilson Observatory, Palomar Observatory and other residences, schools, research centers and businesses in Southern California. I also know that CAL FIRE and their sister wildland firefighting agencies (on the ground and in the air) are good at what they do. Stay safe everyone.

I am hoping for a wet winter in drought affected areas out west.

Will be back later today

I'll be back later today with my regular Monday post. I hope that everyone in the U.S. and elsewhere who celebrated Thanksgiving had a nice holiday and had safe travels. I myself had a nice quiet holiday, although I picked up a cold which put a bit of a damper on things.

A drive up the Angeles Crest Highway on September 3, 2009

If you read Hal McAlister’s Diary of a Fire: the 2009 Station Fire Threat to Mount Wilson, he writes about the drive that he and his wife took up the Angeles Crest Highway to Mount Wilson Observatory on September 3, 2009. Road closures were still in effect at that time, and the fire had yet to be contained. They were escorted by LA County Sheriff’s deputies. The video shows the destruction that the Station Fire brought to the forest. I don’t have a comparison video to show you showing the landscape five years post fire. I’d imagine that there has been a lot of regrowth. But I don’t know for sure. If I find a good video that shows portions of the same drive after some regrowth has happened, I’ll share it with you.


direct link to video on youtube

Happy Thanksgiving (in the United States)

It is Thanksgiving here in America Today. Happy thanksgiving everyone both here and around the world. Stay safe everyone! Today I am thankful for all wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air and all other firefighters who keep us safe, sometimes taking time away from their families and friends to keep us safe. Thank-you all from the bottom of my heart

This free turkey clip art is brought to you courtesy of  Pixabay.com.

Mount Wilson Observatory Today

In my wonderings doing background reading and research on the MWO, I was fortunate to find a wonderful 1 hour episode on the MWO filmed a few months after the 2009 Station Fire. There is a Television Show called California’s Gold a  Huell Howser production ( http://calgold.com/ ). The June 8, 2010 show was on Mt. Wilson and may be found at on this Huell Howser archive page. There is no embed code, the show lasts for about 58 minutes and is well worth the time spent.

Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) Website
Mount Wilson Observatory on Facebook (public page, no account needed)
Current Science at MWO
Chara Array
Video from the American Museum of Natural History on CHARA

NOAA airplanes for snow surveys in the Buffalo

Like many of us, I have been following last week’s lake effect snow that brought 5 to 7 feet of snow to some places near Buffalo NY. Now the temperatures are warmer in Buffalo leading to snow melt and flood warnings. See a photo gallery from the Buffalo News of images from the snow storm and another photo gallery of the transition from snow to flooding, again from the Buffalo News. A report from CNN on the flood warnings in Buffalo may be found here.

I was quite interested to read a post that the US National Weather Service Northeast River Forecast Center (NERFC) posted on their Facebook wall yesterday — go here to read the post about how U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pilots did an airborne survey of snow in the Buffalo area to determine snow water equivalent, or how much water is contained in the snow. I followed the links in the NERFC wall post to learn about the aircraft that are used and a little about the snow survey. The snow survey is done by NOAA’s National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center’s (NOHRSC) Airborne Snow Survey Program.

Two aircraft are used, one is Jet Prop Commander, and you may read more about this aircraft and the equipment she carries from these two NOAA webpages here and here. In addition to learning about this aircraft and her equipment, you will learn a little about snow surveys are done.

The second aircraft used for snow surveys is one of NOAA’s Rockwell Aero Commanders (they have two). To learn more about the Rockwell Aero Commander and how she (N51RF) is used for snow surveys, go to this webpage on the NOHRSC website. You will also learn about the type of missions flown by NOAA’s second Rockwell Aero Commander (N47RF) used as a multi-purpose survey platform.

I'd like to thank my friends at the US National Weather Service Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center for taking the time to chat with me this afternoon as I was preparing to write this article. I hope to write a little more about how the NOHRSC uses NOAA aircraft for snow surveys in a later post after I have had a chance to do some more research and reading on the NOHRSC website. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you what I have learned in the last 24 hours.

Before I close, I would be remiss not to acknowledge NOAA's two Lockheed WP-3D Orions that are used for a variety of weather related research, including hurricane research and reconnaissance during hurricane season.

I will resume my series on Mt. Wilson Observatory on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Stay safe out there everyone.

A little history of Mount Wilson Observatory

Just over five years ago, the Station Fire burned 160,577 acres in and near the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, California. Over the years that I have been writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting, there are a few moments that I will always remember. One of those moments was watching livestream from Los Angeles California media outlets cover the aerial assault on Mount Wilson. As many of you know, Mount Wilson, which lies in the Angeles National Forest, is the home of Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO.

Under the leadership of George Ellery Hale (see Mount Wilson Observatory webpage on Hale and Wikipedia on Hale ) and with funding from the Carnegie Institution of Washington, the Mt. Wilson Observatory (MWO)  opened in 1904 as a solar observatory. Solar observations continue at MWO today.  Additional telescopes and facilities came later including but not limited to the 60-inch telescope (1908), and the 100-inch Hooker telescope (1917).

Up until I wrote this article, when I thought about the Mt. Wilson Observatory, I have to be honest and say that I knew only about Hale and Hubble. Among Hubble’s notable discoveries were the discovery of the galaxies outside of our own galaxy and the expansion of the Universe. The Day We Found the Universe by Marcia Bartusiak has a good discussion of the construction of the Mt. Wilson Observatory and her telescopes as well as Hubble’s work and a couple of other astronomers who worked at Mt. Wilson Observatory in the early twentieth century. The MWO has a nice webpage of the history of the MWO (with links), there is also a nice timeline of the first 100 years of MWO (with links) where you may learn about some of the work that has been done at the MWO, some notable astronomers, and current uses of MWO.

About Mount Wilson Observatory: Introduction

There are many observatories around the world where significant astronomical research is and has been done. Likewise there are many important assets, historic and more recent that have come close to being destroyed by wildfire or have been destroyed by wildfires. Observatories tend to be located on remote mountains and hilltops for obvious reasons. Sometimes these remote mountain top observatories are located in areas where wildfires pose a threat. 

One of the nightmares of those who love an observatory, is the destruction of  their observatory and her equipment and related infrastructure in a wildfire. Such was the nightmare that happened to the Mount Stromolo Observatory when a fire storm destroyed most of the observatory buildings and equipment in January 2003 (Space Daily on fire at Mt. Stromlo, Photos of Mt Stromlo fire from Canberra Times  and Sky and Telescope on fire at Mt. Stromlo). Such was the nightmare that almost happened, but did not, to the Mount Wilson Observatory during the 2009 Station Fire.

The Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) was not destroyed by the Station Fire. I am not here to tell the story of  MWO and the Station Fire. If you are interested in the story of the 2009 Station Fire’s impact on the Mt. Wilson Observatory, you will want to read Hal McAlister’s e-book, Diary of a Fire: the 2009 Station Fire Threat to Mount Wilson. Edited to add on April 8, 2018, I don't know if this book is still available. 

If you are interested about more general coverage of the Station Fire, I wrote some articles at the time with links to photos, and videos (Sept. 1, 2009, Sept. 2, 2009, Sept. 3, 2009, Sept. 4, 2009 , and Sept, 6, 2009).

While I would like, at some point to talk about what has happened on Mount Wilson five years after the Station Fire, that story will have to come later. I am here because when I was following the Station Fire in 2009, Mount Wilson played a prominent role and as someone who likes the night sky, I decided that I wanted to learn more about Mount Wilson. 

Outline of series:

Day 1: a little history of MWO (November 21)

Day 2: MWO today (November 24)

Day 3: A drive up the Angeles Crest Highway on Sept. 3, 2009 (November 26)

Day 4: Wrap-up and Reflections (November 28)

A short visit to Catfish Fire Tower

I expect that many of you know that the Appalachian Trail passes through New Jersey. There is a nice day hike that one can make that takes you by the Catfish Fire Tower. The Catfish Fire Tower (on the National Historic Lookout Register) is located on the Appalachian Trail not far from Blairstown NJ. The NY/NJ Trail Conference maintains many of the trails in this area and has a webpage that describes a loop hike using the Rattlesnake Swamp Train and the Appalachian Trail, taking you by the Catfish Fire Tower, the webpage has some photos.

I have hiked up to the Catfish Fire Tower, many years ago was the last time I did so. The views are extraordinary. A very pretty spot. And I can understand why the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a fire tower here. I have not climbed the tower, but I know that you get a good 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. Just what is needed for wildfire spotting. I have more recently flown over the Catfish Fire Tower on scenic flights that I have taken with pilot friends. It is a good visual reference point.

Here is a nice short video taken from the Catfish Fire by Ray Galli:


direct link to video on youtube

A different kind of flight

I was on a different kind of flight yesterday, a cross-country flight to California. It wasn't until I was at the airport waiting for my flight to California that I realized that making my regular Friday blog post just slipped my mind. While on the flight I entertained myself by watching some videos of tankers in action on my laptop, later doing some reading. Then I looked at the Los Angeles sectional that I had in my bag. Unfortunately my 11 to 12 year old i-pod decided to die on my flight, the hard drive crashed. I will be back on in a couple of days with my regularly scheduled on Monday.

Tankers in action

I had other things that I wanted to do this afternoon, but I ended up updating some software on my laptop in advance on a project and some down time next week. I also wanted to replant some bulbs while the weather is still cooperating. So, I am offering a video from 2006 of some tankers in action that I recently came across. I don't believe that I have shared this here, and if I have a rerun never hurts.


direct link to video

Saying hello to a Chinook from a safe distance

I went on a wonderful scenic flight, with a great pilot at the controls, this morning to central Pennsylvania. Our destination was an airport, KLNS in Lancaster Pennsylvania where they have a nice pilot/hobby shop on the field. Few clouds, although it was a little hazy up there with minimal winds. A glorious fall day.

There are somethings that I can do from the right seat. I follow along on my aviation chart, looking for visual references to pinpoint our location. The pilot had flight following, which means that the various controllers assigned us altitudes, gave traffic advisories, etc. Traffic advisories are important. The controller gives an advisory by distance and altitude. For example, Piper Cherokee 2 miles at 11:00 at 1,400 feet. Yes, 11:00 is what you think, traffic straight down the nose is 12:00. We look and when we spot the aircraft the pilot says "traffic in sight." When the control determines that the traffic is not a factor, s/he will say so that we can stop looking.Anyway, as it was such a clear day a lot of general aviation aircraft like us were flying. In addition to the Commercial flights and the corporate jets. 

I am getting better at spotting traffic, especially on a day like today when it was hazy. My pilot told me some tricks about finding traffic in the haze. Which worked, sometimes. But I still missed some. The important thing is that he could see what he needed to see. 

As we were getting closer to KLNS, approach/control had advised us of two aircraft. One was another Cessna 172, and the second was a CH-47 helicopter five miles from us at 3,500 ft. We were at 3,000 ft flying west. Now most aircraft I see from the air  are smaller aircraft and if I am lucky they will be the size of a pencil eraser. But not today because of the haze. Anyway, so I was looking for something that if I was lucky might be the size of pencil eraser when I see this large aircraft and I tell the pilot what and where I see the aircraft crossing our path. Turns out that was our CH-47 Helicopter. I had forgotten that a CH-47 is also referred to as a Chinook. If the controller had told us to look for Chinook, I would have known right away what I was looking for. 

Anyway, the Chinook was five miles away at 3,500 feet flying south. It was an impressive sight from the air. Made my day. One of those special moments from a flight that I'll carry with me. I grabbed my camera and got this shot that I am sharing with you. Not a great shot, and with my 55 mm lens the Chinook looked smaller then it did in real life. And you might have to trust me that this is indeed a photo of a Chinook. After we landed I thought of my good friend Matt who loved helicopters. Matt passed about five weeks ago and is flying in favorable winds. He would have loved that I saw a Chinook on a flight. 

CH-47 "Chinook" east of KLNS. We were at 3,000' MSL flying west and the Chinook was at 3,500' flying south. He was about five miles away from us.

Yellowstone after the 1988 Fires

Of late, I have been thinking about how areas burned in wildfire recover from the fire. In particular, I have been curious about how areas burned in some of the larger wildfires in the western U.S. have recovered. And I wanted photos! Believe it or not, I spent much of the day reading about post fire recovery. I wanted to find an area in the U.S. with a large fire some years ago where I might be able to see some photos of the recovery. I suppose my mind was a little slow today, and I had one of those , remembering the fires that burned Yellowstone in 1988. I just got off the phone with a nice lady from Yellowstone National Park Visitors Services who helped me navigate there website. She was wonderful! 

She directed me to their photo and multimedia page where they have a vast resource of photos and multimedia to look through, when

Lo and Behold, I found a collection of photos called Post Fire Succession 1988. It is only two pages, and I hope that you spend some time looking at each photo.

One of my winter projects is going to be poking around and researching post fire succession after the 1988 fires. I think that there is stuff out there on the web and elsewhere, I just have to find it. I've got some other projects coming up the next couple of weeks, so may not be able to spend time with Yellowstone for a couple of weeks. So stay tuned.

Fire season still going on in CA

I know enough fire history to know that fire season never really ends in southern California. I recall the Panorama Fire that burned in southern California in late November of 1980. I recall hearing about it on the news because I had a lot spare time on my hands at that time because I was helping out a sick relative so I watched a lot of news on TV. In recent years, I've seen one or two videos on the Panorama Fire. This fire was fueled by Santa Anna Winds.


direct link to video

I also recall some wildfires in southern California in November 1980, I found a short article on wikipedia about three wildfires in November 1980.

I thought about these and other southern California November wildfires as I heard that Red Flag Warnings are in place in southern California today. For more information, see this article from the Ramona Sentinel. I have family and friends in southern California and I am comforted in knowing that CAL FIRE and other local fire agencies will work to keep southern California residents and business safe from wildfires.

And these are times of extreme drought in southern California, only making matters worse.

For information on the current status of the drought in southern California and elsewhere in the United States, see drought.gov. It is important to note that the drought information changes weekly.

Stay safe everyone!!

RIP Michael Tyner Alsbury and speedy recovery for Peter Siebold

By know most of you know about the tragic crash of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo on Friday, October 31, 2014 while on a test flight over the Mojave Desert in California (USA). SpaceShipTwo was the first of Virgin Galactica's planned Space Tourism Aircraft. The only people on board SpaceShipTwo were the two pilots, Michael Tyner Alsbury (39) died in the crash. Peter Siebold (43) sustained serious injuries.

I want to take a time out and offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael Tyner Alsbury. I pray especially for Michaels family as you mourn his loss.

Michael and Peter were on a test flight when the accident happened resulting in Michael's death and Peter's injuries. The community of test flight pilots is small and very tight. If any of you in Michael's community of pilots happens to be reading this, please know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

Micheal, you have left the bonds of earth. I know that you will be missed. I am sorry that I never knew you, my loss. May you always fly in favorable tail winds.

For Peter Siebold I offer you my continued toughest and prayers as you continue to recover from the injuries you sustained in the test flight. I pray also for your family and friends and those who love you as they are with you as you recover from your injuries.

Historic fire fighting train

I have always liked trains, especially older trains. I grew up hearing my parents talking about cross-country train trips they took in the late 40s and early 50s, wondering what it was like to ride the rails in those days. And I used to have an atlas showing historic train routes in the United States which I lost in a move some years back. I have taken a couple of over night train trips, a lot of fun. Anyway, I digress.

As I was wondering what to write about today, I came upon this video of a historic fire fighting train. I don't know the location, perhaps out west somewhere? Nor do I know the time period. But I loved the video.


direct link to video on youtube

I got curious about trains used for firefighting, whether trains are still being used. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today posted a nice article over four years ago on fire fighting with a train. Bill did a nice job, chock full of information that you rail buffs and firefighting buffs will enjoy.

Ramona Air Attack Base (Ramona, CA)

Some of you may recall that I spent some time in and near San Diego in southern California over two years ago. And those who know me knew that I was itching to go and visit the closest CAL FIRE air attack base. So my friend and I spent a day, driving first to Ramona to visit CAL FIRE's air attack base at Ramona. For a sense of geography and to see where all the CAL FIRE air attack bases are located, the California Fire Pilots Association has a map with clickable links.

My friend and I had a great time, and the lady at the base was very nice to us, letting us in to look at one of the tankers and answering my questions, I wrote about this visit on July 13, 2012 (with photos).

Why am I writing about this today? Well, I came across a nice article about Ramona Air Attack Base from U-T San Diego written by J. Harry Jones on October 28th. I learned more about Ramona: base operations and aircraft, the new Chief John Francois who oversees all operations, base staff, and one of the S2-T pilots, Bob Forbes. I thought you'd enjoy the article. So I am sharing it here.

Enjoy! And stay safe out there.

New Jersey Pine Barrens trip (Oct. 27, 2014)

I had a great time in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Never enough time to see all that I want to see in what is a short day, considering it takes me about 90 minutes (one way) to get there. The weather was great, clear skies with temperatures in the mid to high 60s. Here is a map from Google Earth showing the places in the photos that I share here:

Approximate locations of areas in photos (10/27/14)

As is my habit on every trip to the Pine Barrens, I always stop along Rte 539 a couple miles south of where the 2007 Warren Grove Fire started to see the Pygmy (Dwarf) Pine Plain Forest. It is always special to see how the Pine Plains have come back after the fire. It is a little hard to see the Pygmy Pines from where I took the photos, but trust me, they are there. You may be able to make them out in the distance. What is always remarkable to me when I see this part of the Forest is that I do not see many dead trees. All is green. Compare this to the article I wrote in March 2009 with photos 15 to 19 months after the Warren Grove Fire, taken from the spot.

Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area, Rte 539, Five minute drive south of start of Warren Grove Fire (10/27/14)

Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area, Rte 539, Five minute drive south of start of Warren Grove Fire (10/27/14)

Another favorite spot of mine is Pakim Pond in the Brendon Byrne State Forest, about a fifteen minute drive north of the Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area.

Pakim Pond, September 3 2014

Pakim Pond, October 27, 2014

After lunch, we drove back towards the Brendon Byrne State Forest, and took the road (563) down through Chatsworth driving through the Cranberry Bogs south of Chatsworth.

Cranberry Bogs, south of Chatsworth NJ

Cranberry Bogs, south of Chatsworth NJ

Cranberry Bogs, south of Chatsworth NJ

Finally, we continued down the road to the Mullica River (which joins the Great Bay north of Atlantic City). The photos below are taken on a drawbridge while the gate was down.

Drawbridge over Mullica River (near Greenbrook NJ)

Mullica River looking west

To the NJ Pine Barrens tomorrow

Tomorrow I am taking a day trip with a friend to the NJ Pine Barrens. One of my very favorite places. I'm not sure that I'll be able to write my usual post tomorrow, so I hope that you will go read about the NJ Pine Barrens at the website of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. There is a lot of good stuff on this site, but I'd like to point you to their page on the Pygmy Pine Plains, a favorite place of mine.

I'll write some reflections and hopefully post some photos from my trip on Tuesday.

Air Tractor 802F Fireboss (Amphibious)

It has been awhile since I posted a SEAT video. Actually, I have had a link to this video filed away in my bookmarks for quite awhile now. I "found this" when I was going through my bookmarks yesterday, doing a bit of computer housekeeping. I'm not quite sure where this video is shot, but that doesn't really matter. It is the Fireboss that matters as well as her pilots who do what they do to keep us safe.

In this video, you will get to know the Air Tractor 802F Fireboss Amphibious Air Tanker. There are some cockpit shots, including shots of scooping from a water body; along with some nice shots of multiple "Firebosses." Regular readers know that I have a special fondness for SEATs. I enjoyed the video and I hope you do as well.


direct link to video

Twin Falls (Idaho) Helitack

While I am supposed to be doing some reading for an upcoming article I did what I sometimes do and went on Youtube in search of interesting videos. I found myself thinking about helos, perhaps because of my friend Matt who recently passed who loved helicopters (go here). I started out with a video that a friend of mine sent me of helos dipping. Youtube displays related videos on the right side of the page, and I eventually ended up watching a great 13 minute video highlighting the Twin Falls Helitack crew's 2013 season. The video was uploaded by Dave Frey with the whole crew contributing footage.

I love this video because it gave me some insight into what life is like on a helitack crew. As I understand it, the Twin Falls Helitack crew's, based in southern Idaho, primary mission is to do initial attack using a type II helicopter. When the helitack crew is dispatched to a fire, they load up their gear in the helo and fly to the fire where work the wildfire on the ground. They have a nice webpage (here) where you can go to learn more about the structure of the crew, and crew duties, and requirements to be on the helitack crew. 

You will see some footage of the helitack crew on the ground working fires. From time to time you will see shots that were probably taken by one of the helitack crew members of a tanker dropping retardant or a helo dropping on the fire. I like images such as these because I can see what aerial firefighting is all about, supporting the crews on the ground. 

direct link to video on youtube

Flying today -- east central Pennsylvannia

It has been awhile since I wrote about my scenic flights. I have a few great pilots that take me on this scenic flights. Today I went flying with a pilot I met about six weeks ago. A few weeks ago, we flew up to northwestern New Jersey, almost into New York and followed the Delaware River down south to our home field. I learned a valuable lesson on that flight. Wear dark clothes and put away the aviation charts. When we flew the Delaware River, I had an aviation chart in my lap. Long story short, a reflection of the chart showed up in my photos, ruining most of my pictures.

 Today, after three or four cancellations due to bad weather, we finally flew to Wilkes Barre PA and followed the Susquehanna River south before flying east to return home. This time I had my chart in a black folder on my lap. Most of the photos are of the Susquehanna.

It was a great day to go flying, calm winds aloft, nice fall colors, and the restoration that comes with flying. My pilot and I had a great time. I came back feeling restored, as I always do after I spend time in the air.

Central PA, east of Wilkes Barre.

Central PA, east of Wilkes Barre.

Wind Turbines, Central PA, east of Wilkes Barre.

Wilkes Barre PA, Susquehanna River

Wilkes Barre PA, Wyoming Valley Airport, Susquehanna River

Wilkes Barre PA, Susquehanna River

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Sunbury PA, Susquehanna and West Branch Susquehanna Rivers

Sunbury PA, Susquehanna and West Branch Susquehanna Rivers

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Susquehanna River, Central PA

Rebuilding historic fire tower in Utah

Those men and women who staff fire towers play an important role in spotting wildfires. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has several fire towers around the state. My interest in fire towers started when I passed fire towers while hiking some trails in Northern New Jersey and in the Pine Barrens. When I go flying courtesy of one of my pilot friends, when I know that a fire tower is near our route, I'll look for them, they are good visual reference points

I have known that other States use fire towers, so when I ran across a nice video on the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 video of the week page (updated weekly) today on a fire tower in Utah that has been restored, I just had to share it with you.

direct link to video on youtube

Update on Reflections on Writing About Wildfires

The other day I wrote an article that I called Reflections on Writing About Wildfires. I had originally intended this to be a two-part article, but I reconsidered. This is now a one-part article, that I revised yesterday. Those of you who are coming here looking for part two, there isn't one. You might want to go back and look at the article I wrote the other day on Reflections on Writing About Wildfires (revised). I'll be back later today with another article.

Reflections on writing about wildfires

I have some wonderful friends and family who are supportive of the time I spend writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting. I remember a few years ago when there was a large wildfire in California that I was following, mitt have been the Station Fire. I had been putting in long hours watching live stream, reading articles and otherwise keeping abreast of the situation. And of course, I was learning. I still am learning.

Anyway, I ran into these friends, and you told me that they knew about the fire, that you were thinking of me. And for those of you reading this who are in the business of wildland firefighting, they were thinking of you too. I had only been focusing on aerial wildland firefighting for a few months at the time, so I really appreciated the support of my friends.

The support of my family and friends goes on. Sometimes it is a comment about a fire that they have heard about in the news. Or it might be a supportive comment after a tragedy. Sometimes a question which if I can't answer (always a possibility), I can usually find a good answer for them. I especially love telling my friends that we have SEATs here in NJ during our spring wildfire seas.

Over the years that I've been writing this blog about aerial wildland firefighting, I've made some friends in the business, aerial wildland firefighters and those who fight wildfires on the ground. I learn from you.

Various people send me information and articles, I appreciate the thought that goes into this. Some of you are in the business, others are not but have read something that you thought I'd be interested in. I often find ways to include this information in my blog either directly or indirectly. I always learn from these little tidbits of information.

I want to thank my friends and family, new and old for your suppport. And for the friends I do not know, who read this blog, thank-you.

Revised on October 16, 2014

To Wildland Firefighters

To Wildland Firefighters:

Over the years that I have been writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting, rarely a day or so goes by when I don't think about what you are doing to keep us safe whether you be on the ground or in the air. Regular readers know that I am neither a wildland firefighter on the ground, nor am I a licensed pilot, nor am I in a position where I provide direct support to wildland firefighters. While I have no direct experience fighting wildland fires and can not know "first hand" the dangers involved, I know that what you do is dangerous.

As wildland firefighters in the air you are flying at low levels and at slower speeds, often in turbulent conditions. You often fly where smoke hampers visibility. You might be flying in mountains or canyons which provide their own issues. You do so to provide support to those on the ground, working with them to contain the fire. You are aware of the danger involved in flying fires and you do this anyway because it is what you do. You fly fires. You might be in an air tanker, a helicopter, a lead plane, or perhaps another kind of observation aircraft. Then there are all those who support you and maintain your aircraft at your base.

If you are a wildland firefighter on the ground you face another set of dangers as you work to contain the wildfire. You could be part of a ground crew perhaps carrying a chain saw, or in a bulldozer. You might be part of the crew of an engine. You follow the 10 standard fire orders and the 18 watchout situations and LCES while fighting fires, following these orders and being alert for the watchout situations help you to stay safe. You carry a fire shelter. You wear protective gear. Even with all these protections, there is danger.

I don't want to forget those of you who are dispatchers, you work the dispatch centers sending crew and equipment to wildfires.

You are often away from your families for months at a time, with a few days here and there where you might be able to go home. If you are on a ground crew, you may be sleeping outside while you are working a wildfire. If you are flying an aircraft, you may be staying at a hotel. You form close bonds with those you serve with, a brother/sisterhood. When one of you dies, you grieve.

As I write this, wildfire season continues in California and elsewhere in the Western United States. Australia is gearing up for their Wildfire season. And there may well be other areas of the world gearing up for a wildfire season that I am not mentioning.

Where ever you are, I want you to know that I am thankful for what you do, whether you are on the ground or in the air. You keep us safe from wildfires. Stay safe out there. And know that I and many others care about you and want you to stay safe.

RIP Craig Hunt

Rest in Peace Craig Hunt.

There is a nice photo gallery on CAL FIRE's facebook page (should be publicly available) of the October 8th ceremony transferring the body of CAL FIRE pilot Craig Hunt (pilot of T-81, crashed on October 7th near Yosemite National Park). Go here to see the photo gallery from CAL FIRE.

Jim Barnes, a close friend of Craig's, wrote a nice tribute to Craig on the Associate Aerial Firefighters webpage on October 9th, the tribute may be found here.

CAL FIRE ID's pilot

I wrote earlier today about the crash of CAL FIRE Tanker 81. A couple of hours ago, CAL FIRE Department Information Officer Daniel Berlant tweeted that the pilot of of T-81 that crashed on October 7 has been identified as Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62 of San Jose, CA.

I offer my heartfelt prayers and condolences to Craig's family, friends, colleagues, and all who love him. Craig, may you always fly in favorable tail winds.

CAL FIRE's memorial page for Geoffrey "Craig" Hunt

Obtained on October 8, 2014 from http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2014/CALFIRE_AirtankerIdentified_2014_NR.pdf

CAL FIRE S-2T Tanker 81 down

It is with great sadness that I come here today to write that CAL FIRE S-2T tanker 81 crashed near Yosemite late afternoon on October 7 while fighting the Dog Rock Fire. The pilot did not survive. The name of the pilot has not yet been released pending notification of all family members. Prayers and condolences for family, friends, colleagues of the pilot. May you always fly in favorable tail winds. Link to news release from CAL FIRE

Obtained on October 8, 2014 from http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2014/CALFIRE_AirtankerClaimsLife_2014_NR.pdf

October 8, 2014 at 5:45 PM A couple of hours ago, CAL FIRE Department Information Officer Daniel Berlanttweeted that the pilot of of T-81 that crashed on October 7 has been identified as Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62 of San Jose, CA. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Craig's family, friends, colleagues, and those who love him. Craig, may you always fly in favorable tail winds.

Hello Helos

For Matt (RIP), I know how much you enjoyed helicopters, so I dug up some different helicopter videos for you. I know that you are  flying in favorable tail winds.

Kaman K-Max (no tail rotor)

direct link to video

Columbia Helicopters (Tandom Rotor), pilot's view

direct link to video

Erickson Air Crane moving snow

direct link to video

Helos over a wildfire in British Columbia Canada

I know that I haven't written much about my friends in Canada this fire season. I understand that my friends in British Columbia have experienced a very active wildfire season this year. I'll try to look for an article that I can link discussing or summarizing this year's wildfire season in British Columbia and if I find an article, I'll revise this article.

Updated on October 6, 2014: According to the current statistics page of the British Columbia Wildfire Management Branch, as of October 5, 2014 there have been 1,428 wildfires that have burned 359,260 hectares (1 hectare equals approximately 2.47 acres). Some statistics and averages for the prior ten years may be found on the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch Fire Averages Page. Of note, in 2010 1,673 fires burned 337,149 hectares with the next highest year being 2003 with 2,473 fires burning 265,053 hectares. By the way, the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch Current Situation Page has some links to current statistics, fire averages, and other useful information.

In the meantime, regular readers will know that I love watching helos dipping and working fires. I came across this video today thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service weekly video page (there may be a different set of videos from what I accessed today). There are some great aerial shots taken from the helo of dipping and bucket work over a wildfire that burned in August 2014 North of Ft. Grahame near the Finlay River in British Columbia.


direct link to video on youtube

What wildland firefighters are about

I've had one of those days, I meant to write something else for today's entry. But got involved taking care of some rather mundane but important tasks on my computer following an upgrade to my operating system late last week. So, I thought I'd share this video from the US Forest Service called "The Heart of a Firefighter."



direct link to video

King Fire (CA) - 89% contained today

Things in the world of wildfires can always change. As I write this article, the King Fire that has been burning since September 13th is at 89 percent containment thanks to recent rains (see this article from the LA Times (with photos)). Hopefully weather and related conditions will allow for continued progress in fighting this wildfire.

Some of you may have noticed that for the last week or so, I had been posting a short update on the King Fire on the right side of this blog. If the fire remains at or above 89 percent containment I will no longer be posting those short updates. If the situation should change for the worse then I'll resume those short updates. For those of you who want to read my earlier articles covering the King Fire, see my articles of September 17th and September 19th

Anyway, as of today's update on Inciweb's King Fire Page, the fire has burned 97,099 acres. A total of 80 structures have been destroyed including 12 residences. Six people have been injured. There was a fire shelter deployment a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, no one was injured. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote about the the deployment here and a second article about the role a pilot had in helping the groundcrews involved in the shelter deployment here.

The King Fire has a freely available Facebook Page with daily updates and pictures. The King Fire Page on Inciweb has a page with photographs.

I may have been involved in other projects last week, my mind has never been far from the ground and air crews who have been working the King Fire and other wildfires that are currently burning. You've done good work and I know that the residents in the community affected by wildfires appreciate what the firefighters are doing to keep them safe.

Aerial Applications in Central NJ - seeding winter cover crop (2 of 2)

I conclude this short series (See articles I posted on September 22 and September 24 about aerial applications of winter cover crop seeds in Central NJ.

Please spend some time to look at this great slide show of seeding operations from NJ dot com (9/18/14). Allow a few minutes to view the 44 photos in the slide show.

Residents near the farms that were seeded were notified prior to the seeding operations which began the afternoon of September 16 and were completed on September 18. See this September 18th article from the Hunterdon Democrat for more information.

Christian Bench, a Soil Conservation Technician with the  US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pittstown NJ provides some additional information about the seeding operation. He gave me more information about the benefits of cover cropping:

Some cover cropping benefits are seen right away including soil erosion protection. Other benefits such as increased water infiltration, nutrient scavenging, increased soil microbe activity and increased soil organic matter will be seen only after several years of cover cropping on the same fields. This is why we are doing this for 3 consecutive years on the same fields.

Bench speaks to the advantages of using aircraft to disperse the winter seed cover over no-till drilling methods:

While aerially seeding is not the only way to plant a cover crop it is the only way to seed into standing crops that have not been harvested yet. No-till drilling cover crop species after the cash crop is harvested is a very effective way of seeding but as it gets later in the year the farmer is limited to what species he/she can plant. Aerial seeding opens a whole new window of opportunity because it allows for a more diverse mixture of seed species to be planted that all benefit soil in a different way. Drilling cover crop species after harvest limits farmers to very few species that will take root late in the year.

I asked Bench if similar seeding operations, including the use of aircraft, are happening in other parts of the United States. He says:

Yes. This occurs across the U.S and is catching on more and more as government programs are helping to fund such seedings. Farmers are also seeing the benefits of cover crops to their operations and seeding cover crops aerially on their own dime as well.

loading the hopper with seed

loading the hopper with seed

close-up of loader

close up  of spreader (disperses seed)