A little history: Air Tanker Operations at Santa Barbara CA (1987)

On a nice summer afternoon I think it is time to continue to take a time out. I am sharing two videos posted by Brian Lockett showing air tanker operations at Santa Barbara CA on October 4, 1987. It is possible that I may have posted these videos before, if so they are worth seeing again. The first video is about four minutes and the second video is a little over 14 minutes. Be sure to check the link under each video where you may find information for a listing of some of the tankers you will see.


direct link to video


direct link to video

Hot Air Balloons

I like watching hot air balloon launches and a friend sent me this video that I am sharing with you today. This video is taken at dawn of a mass hot air ballon ascension at the Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 9, 2013.



direct link to video on youtube

Cutca Fire (near Mt. Palomar, Cleveland NF, CA)

The Cutca fire that is burning in the Cleveland National Forest near Mt. Palomar was first reported on July 24, 2015 and has burned 167 acres and is at 50 percent contained as I write this. The Palomar Observatory sits on top of Mt. Palomar and is not threatened by the fire. Tankers and helicopters have worked the fire in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. A TFR is in place over the fire, meaning that aircraft not engaged in firefighting activities as well as unmanned aircraft systems are banned from overflying the wildfire.

Hearing about this fire bought me back to a half day a friend and I spent in the Cleveland National Forest three years ago. I drove from the northern San Diego suburbs to Ramona where I visited the Ramona Air Attack Base. After lunch near the base, my friend and I headed to the Palomar Observatory driving through some beautiful country. I don’t quite recall where we entered the Cleveland National Forest, but I do remember driving through the Cleveland National Forest as we drove up the mountain to the observatory. Now the mind can play tricks, but I am fairly certain that we drove by a fire station on our way up the mountain to the observatory. I remember commenting to my friend that I was glad to see the fire station in the forest and reasonably close to the observatory. 

I don’t go to California all that often and my visit to the Cleveland National Forest was the first and so far only time that I had been in or near an area in southern California that has seen wildfires. I hope that the Cutca fire stays small and is contained soon. I am glad to read that there are no evacuations and that the Palomar Observatory is not threatened. 

I write this to thank all wildland firefighters who are working the Cutca fire for all you are doing to keep everyone safe, nearby residents and businesses as well as the Palomar Observatory. 

The Cutca fire fire is but one of many, many wildfires burning in the United States and elsewhere. For all of you who are working these fire, whether on the ground or in the air, stay safe. Thanks for all you do.

For more information on the Cutca fire:

• Latest Inciweb page on the Cutca fire
• KPBS report on Cutca Fire (July 26, 2015)
• Press Enterprise (July 26, 2015) TFR set up over Cutca fire
• Wildfire Today on Cutca fire (July 25, 2015) with photos

Fun from EAA Airventure 2015

1. B-52 Landing


direct link to video from airailimages


2. Airbus A350


direct link to video from airshowStuffVideos

good resource on UAS -- "No drones in firezones"

Thanks to some friends who pointed me to the following video earlier in July of 2015. The video was uploaded to youtube on July 10,2015. It is possible that I saw excerpts from this video earlier, but only learned about this almost 9 minute video a couple of days ago.


Direct link to video on youtube

August 1, 2018: updated to delete reference to dead links.

More on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) incursions near wildfires

downloaded from http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems on June 24, 2015

I first wrote about the hazards that unmanned aircraft systems including hobby drones when flown near or over wildfires on June 24th. In the time since then drones have been sighted over some other wildfires out west, including the North Fire (Wildfire Today, June 19th)  that shut down the I-15 northeast of Los Angeles on Friday, June 17th. I am sure that most of you know that this fire burned several vehicles on the I-15. There was also, according to the North Fire Inciweb page, first reported on July 18th), a drone over the fire that shut down air operations for 25 minutes

I noted this at the time, pondering whether or not to write more about this drone incursion. Then I saw the most recent update of the North Fire from Inciweb (July 20th about 12:30 PM -- what you see when you access the North Fire Inciweb page may differ). I'd like to share with you what this inciweb update (July 20th about 12:30 PM)  says about drones:

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS or drone) halted tanker operations for about 25 minutes on Friday afternoon (June 17th), but operations soon resumed. 

Hobby drones, or (UAS) unmanned aircraft systems, pose a major safety threat to firefighting pilots and firefighters. When a hobby drone is flown into a fire area, incident commanders have no choice but to suspend air operations and ground aircraft until the drone is removed from the area. 

As hobby drones have grown in popularity, we have seen an increase in these drones interfering with firefighting operations.A collision could easily result in major damage to our aircraft, injuries to the pilot and crew on board as well as firefighters below, and worse, a midair collision.

 

When drones interfere with firefighting efforts, a wildfire has the potential to grow larger and cause more damage. On most wildfires, an FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is put into effect and any private aircraft or drone that violates the TFR could face serious criminal charges. 

Even without a TFR, anyone who hampers firefighting efforts could face charges as well. (Inciweb on North Fire (July 20th about 12:30 PM)

The US Forest Service has a great webpage with good information about UAS or hobby drone safety over thier lands and other federal lands: Tips for Responsible Hobby or Recreationals Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or "Drones" on National Forest System Lands.

Air and ground assault on Brush Fire near Los Angeles CA on July 12th

I came across this video early this week of helicopters working to support wildland firefighters on the ground on a 15 acre brush fire near a Los Angeles CA freeway. I am reminded that those flying aerial attack on a fire do so to support the firefighters on the ground. I like this video because in addition to seeing helicopters working the fire you see the firefighters on the ground. From what I understand from the information in the video, the fire was contained at 15 acres. Nice job everyone!


direct link to video on youtube

Aerial Attack on a wildfire matters

July 16, 2015, 7:30 AM (edit)

Yesterday, I came across a video report on Facebook from NBC Nightly News on July 10th on the role that helicopters play in fighting wildfires. I liked this report enough to want to share it with you. So, I looked around and found the full report that NBC Nightly News broadcast on July 10, 2015. The complete report and footage bothered me because the video report included some footage of a C-130 crash in 2002 and last year's S2-T crash in Yosemite. I had a hard time with the crash footage as I thought it unnecessary and it distracted me from the portion of the footage focusing on the firefighting helicopters. I originally posted a different version of this article but I decided to rewrite this post to include only the great footage that I found on Facebook on the role that helicopters play in fighting wildfires

So here, is the footage that I found on the NBC Nightly News Facebook page (that should be publicly available) on this July 10th FB post. You will hear Captain Steve Concialdi of Orange County (CA) Fire talk about the role of helicopters, calling them "worth their weight in gold because they can get up quickly and be on a fire in minutes . . ." You will see some nice footage of helos dropping, including a scene from the cockpit at night.

I tried to use the embed code from Facebook, but sadly, could not get it to work.

Matt, this is for you.

Video of CAL Fire Aircraft working a fire, RC Aircraft Club stops flying

One of the things that struck about the video that I am sharing below is that I believe that the footage was shot on the grounds of a radio control aircraft strip during an airshow they were having the weekend of July 11th and 12th 2015. The video said "CDF Cal Fire at the SCCMAS RC Air Show. When I searched for "SCCMAS" on my search engine, I came up with a website for the Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark which I believe is an organization for radio controlled (RC) model aircraft. What impressed me is that according the information about the video, they shut down their RC aircraft operations while CAL FIRE aircraft were dropping on a near by. So, in addition to sharing some nice footage of tankers dropping, I applaud the SCCMAS for stopping their airshow while CAL Fire aircraft and ground crews were working the fire.


direct link to video on youtube

Martin Mars has one month contract for B.C.

You may recall that I wrote about Coulson's Martin Mars on July 8th (with a video of her). I was very happy to read in a couple of British Columbia media outlets that Coulson's Martin "Hawaii" Mars has a one month contract. The announcement was made by the British Columbia Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources on Wednesday afternoon, July 8. It will take a couple of days to get her ready, with the hope that she will be ready to fly fires this coming weekend. You might want to see this article from the Alberni Valley Times and another article from the Vancover Sun. The Martin Mars can drop 7,200 gallons or 27,276 litres of water and foam.

Once she is ready to fly fires, she will be a big help in helping wildland firefighters on the ground fight wildfires that are burning in British Columbia, one of which is buring on Dog Mountain on Sproat Lake where the Hawaii Mars is based. Coulson's other Martin Mars, the Phillipine Mars is not in condition to fly fires.

For more information on the wildfires burning in British Columbia:

• British Columbia Wildfire Service has a Current Wildfire Situation Page wildfire information is updated once a day at midnight and may not reflect current activity.
• Vancover Sun, B.C. Premier tours wildfires by air (with video of tankers)
• Photos from Vancover Sun: Vancouver, B.C. up in smoke
• Alberni Valley Times on the Dog Mountain Fire

Coulson Martin Mars ready to fly but waiting to be activated by British Columbia

I have heard about the active wildfire season in British Columbia and other areas of western Canada. Like some of you, I have heard various talk on the internet about the possibility that Coulson's Martin Mars might be flying some of these fires, especially a fire that is burning on Dog Mountain (Dog Mountain Fire) near her home base on Sproat Lake.

I was wondering exactly what was going on when I checked Bill Gabberts Fire Aviation this morning to find that he posted a July 6th article about the British Columbia government inquiring about the Martin Mars. Bill wrote on July 6:

Britt Coulson told us Monday evening that their company already has a Call When Needed contract for the Martin Mars with the British Columbia Wildfire Service but the aircraft has not been activated yet. The Coulson Group told the agency that if they activated it by the end of the day on Monday the Martin Mars could be serviceable and fighting fires on Thursday. As of 6:11 p.m. MT, the Coulsons had not heard from BCWS.

I read an article dated July 8, 2015 from the Alberni Valley Times about the current status of the Martin Mars. [On October 12th the July 8th article does not seem to be available online so I removed the link]. As I understand it, as of July 8th, the British Columbia government has not activated the Martin Mars. While the Martin Mars is in the water at her base on Sproat Lake, she can not fly the Dog Mountain Fire or any fires in British Columbia until the government activates her. She sits ready but unable to fly, waiting until when and if the B.C. Government activates her, much to the dismay of many in British Columbia and environs.

I had the privilege of watching the Martin Mars on livestream from one of the LA TV news outlets in 2009 flying and then dropping on Mt. Wilson during the Station Fire. I must have watched her for what felt like 15 or 20 minutes, mesmerized. Here is a shorted video of her flight, first as she prepares to drop and then the drop. Elegance in action. Long time regular readers of this blog know that I have a special affinity for this very special airplane.


direct link to video of Martin Mars drop on Mt. Wilson during 2009 Station Fire (CA)

Revised on October 12, 2015 to remove a dead link.

Cape Horn Fire (Idaho Panhandle National Forest)

July 8 at 5:00 PM

According to the last update that I found on the Cape Horn incident page at Inciweb (2 PM on July 8), the fire has burned 1,380 acres and is at 35 percent containment. I believe that evacuations are still in place. Bill Gabbert writes about the Cape Horn today (July 8th), including some photographs and a video of campers being rescued by a boat.

The Spokesman-Review has a photo gallery of the fire with links for some of their coverage. KXLY has a report and video dated July 8th (11:19 AM) reporting on the reduction in acreage burned to 1,380 acres, containment, and an update on the evacuations in place.

July 6 at 4:00 PM

The acreage burned by the Cape Horn Fire remains at 2,000 acres according to the latest update at the Cape Horn incident page at Inciweb that I saw a little while ago. Gov. Butch Otter has declared Bonner and Kootenai Counties disaster areas according to this Spokesman-Review article on the fire (July 6, 12:50 PM).

For other information on this fire see:

Coeur d'Alene Press (July 6, 12:15 AM)
KXLY report (July 6, 12:00 PM)
KXLY photo gallery

This fire caught my eye this morning, so I'll update this post as the situation warrants. I am reminded that firefighters on the ground and in the air are working hard to contain this fire. I understand from the media reports that I have linked that it was windy yesterday and winds may continue today. I believe that air operations, wind allowing, continued today

Perhaps this fire will never make the national news; I hope not for when that happens it is not a good thing. But this fire, like all other wildfires, is of local concern. And that matters.

July 6, 2015 at 10:40 AM

When I was checking various sources around the web this morning, I read about the Cape Horn Fire that was first reported the afternoon of July 5th at the south end of Lake Pend Orielle in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. I understand that evacuations are in place and airtankers and helicopters worked the fire. According to the latest update available from the Cape Horn incident page at Inciweb the fire has burned about 2,000 acres as of about 9:20 AM with a report of six structures being destroyed. Inciweb incident pages are updated periodically while the wildfire is burning and what I write about here may not be the latest information.

For more information about the Cape Horn Fire including a video with footage of a tanker working the fire, see this report (from July 5th) from KXLY out of Spokane-Coeur d'Alene.

Happy Fourth of July

I don't have any fancy fourth of July graphics to share. But I do want to take some time out to wish all of you a very Happy Fourth of July. Thanks to the wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air who are working today to keep us safe.

Enjoy this tribute videos, thanking wildland firefighters in the air and on the ground.


direct link to video

A little about the Park Hill Fire (San Luis Obsipo County, CA)

I learned about the Park Hill Fire from my friends from the B10 NJ Wildland Fire page when they posted a couple of videos from this fire on their fire video page on or about June 298th (videos may be different when you go the site).

I got interested in the videos, he had a couple videos from this fire including the first one that I will share with you in a moment. So, I went on youtube and found a couple more videos of tankers dropping on the Park Hill Fire.

The Park Hill Fire (San Luis Obsipo County, CA) was first reported on June 20, 2015, burned 1,791 acres, destroying 2 homes, 4 mobile homes, 2 RVs that were primary residences, 10 outbuildings and 7 vehicles. Four people were injured. The fire was 100 percent contained on or about June 24, 2015.

This video, one of several that SLOStringer recorded while the Park Hill Fire was burning was sbot the afternoon of June 20th. For example he shot some footage on Sunday morning June 21st showing areas burned, utility crews restringing wires, and some tanker drops. The footage below is from about 6 PM to nighfall on Saturday, June 20th (allow 9 minutes to watch the video).


direct link to video

Here is a video, also by SLOStringer, of what I think is T-60 (a DC-7) dropping on the Park Hill Fire:

direct link to video

I finish off with a video uploaded by Louis Haddad of a DC-10 tanker dropping on the Park Hill Fire.

direct link to video

Nice job everyone! Thank-you ground and air crews for keeping us safe.