NJ: spring wildfire season, April 29

As I write this about 4:45 PM EDT, I have been listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A online scanner feed for just over an hour. It has been on the quiet side, but of course I may have missed something. Anyway, in an April 28th article, the Asbury Park Press reported on yesterday's (April 28th) enhanced fire danger, a small brush fire in Harvey Cedars yesterday, and the  marsh fire in Keyport on April 24th.  I spent about an hour or so yesterday afternoon listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A online scanner feed, hearing of at least a couple of what I assumed were smaller brush fires, one of which was near the Hunterdon/Morris County line.

In Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, there was a mid-day brush fire of unknown size that came withing 200 feet of a house according to the Hunerdon County Democrat. In a later article (with a photo gallery, the Hunterdon County Democrat (April 29th at 1:59 PM) reported that this fire destroyed a small shed.

As I finish up here, I am hearing about two brush fires in Division A while listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A online scanner feed. I believe that one is under an acre. I'm not sure about the size of the second brushfire, but I believe that it too is on the small side.

Enhanced Fire Danger on April 28th

The National Weather Service at Mt. Holly NJ and the National Weather Service at New York NY have issued special weather statments for an enhanced risk of wildfire spread this afternoon (April 28th). Copied below. Yesterday, April 27th, there was a brush fire in Hunterdon County, NJ (Lebanon), see this report from the Hunterdon Democrat (with photos) for more information. As always, I expect that the brush/wildfire activity in New Jersey and environs that I am able to report on is perhaps one of several such brush/wildfires that I do not know about.

Stay safe everyone, and thanks to all in the NJ Forest Fire Service and their mutual aid partners for all you are doing to keep us safe.

Special Weather Statement

---

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1002 AM EDT TUE APR 28 2015

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-
055-060>062-070-071-101>106-282200-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-
SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-
GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-
ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-
COASTAL OCEAN-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...
REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON...
DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON...
SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK...TRENTON...
PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...
MOUNT HOLLY...JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY...
LONG BEACH ISLAND...WHARTON STATE FOREST...JIM THORPE...
STROUDSBURG...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA...
PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...
KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN...
LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
1002 AM EDT TUE APR 28 2015

...AN ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON...

RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS ARE FORECAST TO DROP BETWEEN 30 AND 35
PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON IN MUCH OF OUR REGION AND A NORTHWEST WIND
IS EXPECTED TO GUST AROUND 20 MPH AT TIMES. FINE FUELS WILL
CONTINUE TO DRY RESULTING IN AN ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD
IN MUCH OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE AND
NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND THIS AFTERNOON.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER, BURN RESTRICTIONS AND
WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION, PLEASE VISIT YOUR STATE
FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEB SITE.

$$

IOVINO

---

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
934 AM EDT TUE APR 28 2015

CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179-
290000-
NORTHERN FAIRFIELD-NORTHERN NEW HAVEN-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX-
NORTHERN NEW LONDON-SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD-SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN-
SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX-SOUTHERN NEW LONDON-WESTERN PASSAIC-
EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-EASTERN BERGEN-
WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-EASTERN UNION-ORANGE-
PUTNAM-ROCKLAND-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER-SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER-
NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)-BRONX-RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)-
KINGS (BROOKLYN)-NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-
SOUTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-SOUTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-NORTHERN QUEENS-
NORTHERN NASSAU-SOUTHERN QUEENS-SOUTHERN NASSAU-
934 AM EDT TUE APR 28 2015

...GUSTY WINDS AND DRY CONDITIONS TODAY...

NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL GUST UP TO 20 TO 25 MPH TODAY...
WHILE RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FALL TO 30 TO 35 PERCENT. THIS WILL
INCREASE THE RISK FOR GROWTH AND SPREAD OF ANY FIRES
THAT DEVELOP.

Helicopter operations on wildifires

Here is a nice video from the National Interagency Fire Center on helicopter operations. Enjoy.


direct link to video

Central New Jersey marsh fire (Keyport)

I'd like to thank my friends from B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for making me aware of a five to seven acre marsh fire in Keyport (Monmouth County) NJ yesterday afternoon, on an afternoon when there was yet again enhanced fire danger here in New Jersey. The brush fire extended into a forested area. Some commercial building were threatened early on. The SEAT, Bravo 1 made four drops on the fire. See the write up in the Asbury Park for more information and some photos (including some nice photos of the Bravo 1 dropping on the fire). A short video of Bravo 1 dropping may found on 943thepoint. Here is another article about the Keyport fire, this one from Newsworks.

Thanks to all the NJ Forest Fire Service Firefighters and Firefighters from Keyport for working the fire. Thanks for keeping us safe.

Flying with Bald Eagles

I love Bald Eagles and I have been privileged to see them from the air on a couple of occasions. Magnificent birds. For them it is just flying. So, I am taking a time out and sharing a video of Bald Eagles in flight. Enjoy.

direct link to video on youtube

Enhanced Fire Danger - NJ, eastern PA, DE, and eastern shore of MD

Enhanced Fire Danger for much of New Jersey, portions of eastern Pennsylvania, the eastern shore of Maryland, and Delaware today, Thursday April 23.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
919 AM EDT THU APR 23 2015

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-
055-060>062-070-071-101>106-232300-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-
SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-
GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-
ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-
COASTAL OCEAN-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...
REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON...
DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON...
SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK...TRENTON...
PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...
MOUNT HOLLY...JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY...
LONG BEACH ISLAND...WHARTON STATE FOREST...JIM THORPE...
STROUDSBURG...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA...
PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...
KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN...
LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
919 AM EDT THU APR 23 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF FIRE SPREAD TODAY...

MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES WILL RANGE FROM 25 TO 30 PERCENT
THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS MOST OF THE REGION. WESTERLY WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DAY.
DESPITE RECENT RAINS, FINE FUELS COULD DRY OUT ENOUGH BY THIS
AFTERNOON TO CREATE AN ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD. DRIER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TOMORROW.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER, BURN RESTRICTIONS,
WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION, PLEASE VISIT YOUR STATE
FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

2015 spring wildfire season elsewhere in Mid-Atlantic and New England

Yes, I have been focusing recently on the spring wildfire season here in New Jersey, I am always cognizant that it is also the spring wildfire season elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic and in New England (USA). I am always appreciative of the work of Mike Archer who sends out his Wildfire News of the Day (WNOTD) six days a week via e-mail (see note at bottom) I found some of the links through Mike’s WNOTD. I’d also like to thank my friends at Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10 who link to some news stories highlight wildland firefighting and related issues (about two-thirds of the way down the home page. I found some news reports on Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10. The reports of the wildfires that I link to here are likely just a very small sample of wildfires that burned over the weekend.

In Pennsylvania:
A 400-acre wildfire on Blue Mountain in Carbon and Lehigh Counties, fortunately beneficial rains helped firefighters contain the fire on Monday
Wildfires burned in Lebanon County PA

New York
A wildfire in Erwin, NY (Steuben County)

Massachusetts
Three-acre brush fire in Ludlow, MA (western MA)

Connecticut
15-acre wildfire in New Hartford CT (Litchfield County)

Stay safe everyone. My thanks to all the wildland firefighters who are keeping us safe.

I am sad to say that the last edition of Mike Archer's Wildfire News of the Day (WNOTD) is Friday, October 30 2015. I have left the citation in this article because of the important role his newsletter played in helping me to easily find articles about the spring 2015 wildfire season in the eastern USA. I will miss his six-day a week newsletter.

NJ Wildfire Activity on April 18/19

I did not have much time over the weekend to listen to online scanner feed from the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A. I am therefore very thankful to a friend told me Saturday night that there were some small fires in Division A (northern NJ) and Division B.

Among the small wildfires in northern NJ (Division A) this past weekend were:

A small brush fire in Warren County NJ on April 18
Three small brush fires in Hunterdon County NJ on April 19

Another friend from Division C (southern NJ) told me that there were some small fires In Division C on the 18th and 19th.

My friends at B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page are reporting that a red and white SEAT - Bravo-1 —(Air Tractor?) is on contract covering Division B. Bravo-1 is based at Miller Air Park in Ocean County.

In addition, as I write this on the 20th, B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page reports on these two wildfires in Division B on Sunday April 19th:

1. A 10-acre wildfire in Willingboro (Section B1, Burlington County) on Beverly Rancocas Rd. behind Sportsman Fields was contained by 2 PM EDT on the 19th

2. Bravo-1 made four drops on a 2-acre fire near New Hampshire Ave Lakewood NJ (Section B8, Ocean County) that was reported under control by 3:30 PM EDT on the 19th. Here is a report from The Lakewood Scoop (TLS) with a video, the video embedded below shows Bravo-1 making a drop on the fire. You will see ground crews working the fire.


direct link to TLS video on youtube

Edited and revised on April 22, 2015

Red Flag Warning this afternoon

Red Flag Warnings issued by the NWS at Mt. Holly NJ for this afternoon in central and northern New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. The NWS at New York has also issued Red Flag Warnings for northeastern New Jersey, NYC, Long Island, southeastern New York and Connencticut. Stay safe everyone.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
312 AM EDT SAT APR 18 2015

NJZ001-007>010-012-013-015-PAZ054-055-060>062-103-105-106-190000-
/O.UPG.KPHI.FW.A.0001.150418T1900Z-150419T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KPHI.FW.W.0002.150418T1900Z-150419T0000Z/
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
312 AM EDT SAT APR 18 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
EDT THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING. IT IS IN EFFECT FROM 300 PM UNTIL 800 PM.

* AFFECTED AREAS...BERKS COUNTY, UPPER MONTGOMERY COUNTY, BUCKS
  COUNTY, THE LEHIGH VALLEY AND THE POCONOS IN PENNSYLVANIA, AS
  WELL AS MUCH OF NORTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY.

* WIND...WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH FROM MID AFTERNOON INTO EARLY
  EVENING WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 OR 25 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...DROPPING TO 20 TO 25 PERCENT DURING THE AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES...AFTERNOON HIGHS GENERALLY FROM 75 TO 80 DEGREES.

* IMPACTS...ANY WILDFIRES THAT DEVELOP DURING THE AFTERNOON WILL
  HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD RAPIDLY. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT
  RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EXPECTED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS. ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP MAY QUICKLY GET OUT
OF CONTROL AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER, BURN RESTRICTIONS AND
WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PLEASE VISIT YOUR STATE FORESTRY
OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

&&

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
349 AM EDT SAT APR 18 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD LATER TODAY...

CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179-
181600-
/O.UPG.KOKX.FW.A.0001.150418T1600Z-150419T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOKX.FW.W.0002.150418T1600Z-150419T0000Z/
NORTHERN FAIRFIELD-NORTHERN NEW HAVEN-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX-
NORTHERN NEW LONDON-SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD-SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN-
SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX-SOUTHERN NEW LONDON-WESTERN PASSAIC-
EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-EASTERN BERGEN-
WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-EASTERN UNION-ORANGE-
PUTNAM-ROCKLAND-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER-SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER-
NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)-BRONX-RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)-
KINGS (BROOKLYN)-NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-
SOUTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-SOUTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-NORTHERN QUEENS-
NORTHERN NASSAU-SOUTHERN QUEENS-SOUTHERN NASSAU-
349 AM EDT SAT APR 18 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR THE TRI-STATE AREA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR THE TRI-STATE AREA...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON
TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA...NORTHEAST NJ...NYC METRO...LONG ISLAND...
  SOUTHERN CT...AND LOWER HUDSON VALLEY.

* WINDS...SUSTAINED WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS 25 TO 30 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 TO 30 PERCENT.

* TIMING...12 PM TO 8 PM TODAY.

* IMPACTS...RAPID FIRE SPREAD IF IGNITION OCCURS. A WIND SHIFT IS
  EXPECTED BY THIS EVENING THAT MAY CREATE ADDITIONAL HAZARDS FOR
  ANY ONGOING FIRES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANTLY
ELEVATED FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

A little frivolity on a so far quiet Friday afternoon in Northern NJ

Between being out and about for about three hours yesterday afternoon then setting up my new iPod nano, I did not have much time to listen to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A online scanner feed. Thanks to a friend, I know that Division A (northern NJ) had a busy day yesterday, and fortunately the brush fires were small. I also understand that there were only a few small brush fires in Division B (central NJ). I don't know about Division C (south Jersey). I have been listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A online scanner feed for about two hours so far. As I write this entry, at about 4:15 PM EDT, it has been a quieter afternoon in Division A.

On a more frivolous note, I leave you with a couple of links that you might enjoy.

For those of you who are Star War fans (the new Star Wars movie is due out on December 18), you might be amused by what Japan based All Nippon Airways (ANA) is doing by checking out this ANA special webpage. Yes they have a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that will have its first flight this autumn. Be sure to take a look around on the ANA special webpage.

Now I know that some of you are from New Jersey and I hope that you enjoy this nice photo gallery from the Star-Ledger of historic trains, trolleys, cars, and airplanes from locations around New Jersey. I saw a couple of photos from towns where I have lived or towns that I am familiar with. Those of you who are not from New Jersey I hope that you enjoy the photos as well. Especially if you like, as I do, old trolleys and trains. Most importantly and to the point of this blog, there are a few very cool photos of historic aircraft that I thought some of you might enjoy: Vintage photos of planes, trains and autos in New Jersey from Greg Hatala of The Star-Ledger.

Red Flag Warning - notes from listening to NJFFS online scanners

On this day of Red Flag Warnings in central and northern NJ, I've been listening to the online scanner from NJ Forest Fire Service Division A on and off all afternoon. I have noted during both of my listening sessions and I'm listening as I write this, that there is what seems to be some wildfire activity in northern New Jersey. Some of the fires have been quite small, for example I heard a report a short time ago that a 1/4 acre was contained.

While I have heard discussions involving smokes observed from fire towers as well as deploying trucks to the scene in both of my listening sessions, I am not in a position to be able to say more than what I am saying here. I continue to learn, and there is nothing like listening to scanner feed of wildland firefighting to learn. And I think that is one point that I am making with this article. That and saying that on this Red Flag Warning day it does seem to be busy as I write this.

In the meantime, I found reports of a small fire on April 14th in Holland Towship, Hunterdon County NJ and another fire the same day in Weymouth NJ (27 acres) in Atlantic County, NJ. And these are just two of what may well have been more brush fires that I don't know about.

Meanwhile, in Berks County, Pennsylvannia SEATs responded to a brush fire near homes on April 13th, see this article from wearecentralpa for more information.

Stay safe everyone!

Red Flag Warning in northern and central NJ

Red Flag Warning in northern and central NJ and portions of eastern PA issued by the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly NJ at 9:32 AM through this evening at 7 PM. If I am not mistaken, this is the first Red Flag Warning of the season. The NY Office of the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warning for northeastern NJ, NYC, Long Island and southeastern NY.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
932 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015


NJZ001-007>010-012>015-PAZ054-055-060>062-070-071-101>106-152300-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FW.W.0001.150415T1332Z-150415T2300Z/
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-
LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-
EASTERN CHESTER-WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-
LOWER BUCKS-
932 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* AREAS AFFECTED... EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
  NEW JERSEY

* WIND... GUSTS AROUND 20 KNOTS THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DAY.

* HUMIDITY... FALLING TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 PERCENT THROUGHOUT THE
  REMAINDER OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP MAY QUICKLY GET OUT OF CONTROL
  AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY DUE TO A COMBINATION
OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND DRY FUELS. ANY
FIRES THAT DEVELOP MAY QUICKLY GET OUT OF CONTROL AND BECOME
DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER...BURN
RESTRICTIONS...AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION...PLEASE
VISIT YOUR STATE FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

The NY Office of the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning at 11:03 for northeastern NJ, and the following counties in southeast NY: Putnam, Orange, Rockland, and northern Westchester.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
1103 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD TODAY...

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>070-152300-
/O.NEW.KOKX.FW.W.0001.150415T1503Z-150415T2300Z/
WESTERN PASSAIC-EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-
EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-
EASTERN UNION-ORANGE-PUTNAM-ROCKLAND-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER-
1103 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* AREAS AFFECTED...LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY

* WINDS...GUSTS AROUND 25 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TIMING...THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING.

* IMPACTS...RAPID FIRE SPREAD IF IGNITION OCCURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANTLY
ELEVATED FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Red Flag Warnings are also in place for areas of New England.

Stay safe out there.

NJ Forest Fire Service online scanners and a tanker video

I've spent an hour or so this morning and again as I write this listening to the online scanner feed from NJ Forest Fire Service Division A. This is always educational. For example, I heard some reports this morning from the guys in the fire towers in Division A and another report saying a fire (missed the location) was under control. There is online scanner feed for NJ Forest Fire Service Division B and Division C. I can pick up some of the feed from Division B on the Division A scanner. For example, I just heard a report from the firetower in Jamesburg (Middlesex County NJ) reporting on a structure fire in South Amboy (Middlesex County NJ).

Before going, I'd like to share a short tanker video. As I've been writing this blog for six years now, I believe that I have shared this video before. But I liked it, enjoying seeing a variety of tankers and some helos including some now historic videos of Aero Union's P-3 Orions. I never tire of watching tankers and helos in action.

direct link to video



For all my friends working fires on the ground or in the air as well as all those who support you, stay safe out there. And thanks for all you do to keep us safe.

Update on April 6th brushfire in Tewksbury NJ

I wrote about the April 6th brushfire in Tewksbury NJ the other day where two firefighters were injured. The Hunterdon Democrat reported on April 7th was released from the hospital later that same night. He returned for additional testing the next day and is reported to be fine. Thank goodness. There is no information available on the second firefighter that the Tewksbury Police reported was injured fighting the brush fire.

About Neptune Aviation in 2015

Neptune Aviation has submitted a bid for the current round of Next Generation large firefighting aircraft. They expect to have six BAe-146 tankers ready to fly fires by June. It is anticipated that awards under this contract will be awarded in early May witht the expectation that tankers under this contract will be ready to fly in the first day of the mandatory availability period. Please this April 2nd article from The Missouian for more information.

Neptune Aviation has six P2-V Neptunes and one BAe-146 tanker on contract under a Legacy Contract with the US Forest Service (Fire Aviation on March 25, 2015 and November 23, 2014

Here are two videos from Neptune Aviation that I thought you might enjoy looking at.

I shared this 2014 video from Neptune Aviation in a video of the week post sometime last year. I don't know about you, but I like reruns. Great airplanes with a nice soundtrack.


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

And here is the 2015 video from Neptune Aviation, just published April 6, 2015


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

NJ Forest Fire Service - Northern NJ (Div A) on April 6

After I posted my April 6th article on enhanced fire danger in New Jersey, I found out that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Conducted a few prescribed burns in northern New Jersey (Division A) on April 6th (obtained from New Jersey Forests Facebook page):

Ringwood State Park, 33 acres grass
Waywayanda State Park, 150 acres grass
Kittatinny Valley State, 50 acres grass
Whittingham WMA, 200 acres grass
Six Mile Run State Park, 300 acres grass

Just yesterday I heard that there was a 21 acre brush fire in Hunterdon County NJ that came close to at least one home in Tewksbury on April 6th. Recall that there was enhanced fire danger on April 6th. Firefighters from Tewksbury and nearby towns along with firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled the blaze. According to a April 7th Hunterdon Democrat article (with photos)  the fire was started when a homeowner accidently dropped a blow torch that ignited some leaves. Two firefighters were injured. 

There have been showers in New Jersey yesterday afternoon and today. 

Enhanced Fire Danger continues in NJ

Knowing that it was somewhat windy yesterday and wondering about fire danger, I went to some local media outlets to see what was going on. It turns out that the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly had issued a warning for enhanced fire danger yesterday. I found an article on the Asbury Park Press website yesterday (April 5th) reporting on this warning along and some brush fires, some were small on Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Ocean Counties. I don't know about wildland (brush) fires in other parts of New Jersey.

Enhanced Fire Danger continues today, Monday April 6th. The National Weather Service at Mt. Holly, NJ issued this special weather statement at 10:46 AM on April 6th covering most of New Jersey, Delaware, the eastern shore of Maryland and adjoining areas of Pennsylvannia.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 1046 AM EDT MON APR 6 2015

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054- 055-060>062-070-071-101>106-062300- NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD- QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON- SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM- GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND- ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC- COASTAL OCEAN-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH- NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER- WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN... REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON... DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON... SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK...TRENTON... PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN... MOUNT HOLLY...JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON... CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY... LONG BEACH ISLAND...WHARTON STATE FOREST...JIM THORPE... STROUDSBURG...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA... PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER... KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN... LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN 1046 AM EDT MON APR 6 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON...

LOW AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS, A GUSTY SOUTHWEST WIND AND DRY FINE FUELS WILL CREATE AN ELEVATED RISK FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES IN OUR REGION THIS AFTERNOON.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER, BURN RESTRICTIONS, WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PLEASE VISIT YOUR STATE FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

The National Weather Service for New York, NY has issued a special weather statement for enhanced fire danger for northeast New Jersey and Staten Island (NYC) at 12:10 PM.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 1210 PM EDT MON APR 6 2015

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ074-062300- WESTERN PASSAIC-EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN- EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION- EASTERN UNION-RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)- 1210 PM EDT MON APR 6 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND STATEN ISLAND...

SOUTHWEST WINDS GUSTING UP TO 20 MPH...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES DROPPING TO NEAR 30 PERCENT...AND DRY FINE FUELS WILL RESULT IN AN ENHANCED RISK FOR THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF ANY WILDFIRES THAT DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON.

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH ANY OUTDOOR BURNING OR DISCARDING OF SMOKING MATERIALS.

RIP: two dead in March 30th crash of USFS contracted Bell 206L-1

A Bell 206 L-1 Helicopter crashed on Monday afternoon March 30th while working an 800-acre prescribed burn 25 miles west of Biloxi, Mississippi. The crew of the Bell was performing aerial ignition operations on the prescribed fire in the DeSoto National Forest when the crash occurred. The Bell had one pilot and additional crew of two US Forest Service firefighters. Two died and one crew survived. The surviving crew member was flown by a Life Flight Helicopter to a Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama where is currently in serious condition. See Always Remember (includes links to media reports and other information) for more information.

Gone but not forgotten are:

Brandon Ricks, pilot, 40 years old from Blanchard, OK.

Steven W. Cobb, US Forest Service Engineering Technician, 55 years old from Wiggins, MS.

Brandon and Steven, I know that you are loved by your family, friends, and colleagues who miss you and mourn your loss. Please know that many of us who don’t know you join them in mourning your loss.  May you always fly in favorable tail winds. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, colleagues and all who love you.

My thoughts and prayers are with the surviving crew member and his family and friends as he continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Enhanced Fire Danger for NJ this afternoon

From the National Weather Service Mt. Holly NJ, enhanced fire danger for Thursday, April 2 in NJ and portions of eastern PA (except the Poconos)

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-015>023-
027-PAZ060>062-070-071-101>106-022100-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-
SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-
CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-
PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-WESTERN MONTGOMERY-
EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...
REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON...
DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON...
SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...TRENTON...PENNSVILLE...
GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...
WHARTON STATE FOREST...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA...
PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...
KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN...
LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
411 AM EDT THU APR 2 2015

...ENHANCED WILDFIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS DELAWARE, MARYLAND`S
EASTERN SHORE, MUCH OF NEW JERSEY EXCEPT THE IMMEDIATE COAST AND
MUCH OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA EXCEPT THE POCONOS...

GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS TO 30 MPH THIS AFTERNOON WITH LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY AND RAPIDLY DRYING FINE FUELS WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN AN
ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON.

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH ANY OUTDOOR BURNING OR DISCARDING OF
SMOKING MATERIALS.

Prescribed Burns in NJ (New Jersey Forest Fire Service) - Images

Since I have been posting recently on prescribed burns that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service have been conducting in central and southern New Jersey over the last couple of weeks, I want to embed a couple of videos that came to my attention recently. I thank my friends at the NJFFS Section B10 webpage for bringing both of these videos to my attention.

I'm not quite sure when the first video from the Asbury Park Press was shot, but I believe that the footage was shot recently. In this short video from the Asbury Park Press, you will get a good idea of what prescribed burns in New Jersey are all about. Edit on May 19, 2015. I had originally embedded the video here which was set to play automatically when this page was loaded into your browser. As having a video play automatically might interfere with your experience on this blog (and I was unable to change the embed code) I have removed the embed code. The direct link to video still works. It is a nice short video, under two minutes, please take the time to watch the video.

The second video is a little over seven minutes of footage of a prescribed burn conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10 in Old Bridge NJ on March 30.


direct link to video by William Rashak on YouTube

Just in - Large (Marsh) Brush Fire in Edison NJ

I was alerted to a large brush fire that is currently burning in a march in Edison (Middlesex County), NJ near an industrial complex when I was just on Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10; as I write this, you will find information about this fire about half-way down their home page under current NJ wildfire activity.

As I write this, according to Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10, crews from Division A (northern New Jersey) as well as fire departments from nearby towns are working this marsh fire reported at 75 acres at 4:43 PM EDT. One derelict building is involved. Helicopter Delta 6 and her bucket are currently working the fire. In addition, there is an observation helicopter, Delta 3 that flew the fire. Press reports on this fire may be found at New Jersey dot com (with a slide show) and Eyewitness News 7 (ABC) in NYC.

7:15 PM EDT update

CBS New York is reporting that firefighters have made progress in fighting the fire.


direct link to video and article from CBS New York

April 2, 3 PM update

Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10 is reporting that approximately 130 acres were burned and the fire, known as the Olympia Drive Fire, is 100% contained. The cause of the fire was determined to be from sparks from a passing train. Two storage trailers and a road grader were destroyed.

Prescribed Burns in NJ (NJ Forest Fire Service): March 31 and April 1

New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews continued to conduct prescribed burns on March 31 and April 1. I'm still not quite sure when the prescribed burning season will end this year.

A small map of New Jersey by county with a listing of counties in each of the three New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Divisions may be found here (scroll down a bit). A second map of New Jersey from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shows the boundaries of the three NJFFS Divisions, with the location of each Division Section may be found here.

March 31 -- approximately 150 acres (New Jersey Forest Face book post on March 31)
Ocean County
B7 Whiting Wildlife Management Area, Manchester Township – 20 Acres Grass

Monmouth County
B8 Allaire State Park, Wall Township – 100 Acres Grass

Camden County
C6 Winslow Wildlife Management Area, Winslow Township – 30 Acres Grass


April 1 (New Jersey Forest Face book post on April 1)
Burlington County
B3 Wharton State Forest in Tabernacle Township

B6 Brendan Bryne State Forest near Rt 530 at Rt 70 on the Manchester Ocean County/ Pemberton Township lines,19 acres forest

Ocean County
B4 Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area, Little Egg Harbor Township, near Route 539

Middlesex County
B10 Jamesburg County Park, East Brunswick, 50 acres forest