2023-24 Australian Bushfire Season: Coulson Tankers in Australia

 Following up on the article I wrote on November 27th about Coulson Tankers heading to Australia,  Tanker 133, a C-130H tanker, arrived in Richmond, New South Wales (NSW) Australia on Monday. Australia likes to assign nicknames to air tankers, Tanker 133 is known as Froy. She is ready to help the NSW Rural Fire Service. Tanker 137, a 737 Fireliner, will be arriving soon and will start a contract on December 1st as a large airtanker available nationally to all of Australia to work bushfires. For more information see this November 27th article from Australian Aviation (I used one of my three free articles, so there is a paywall).

Froy, which was recently converted can carry up to 4,000 US gallons of retardant See this March 2023 article from Skies Magazine for some more background on Coulson's airtankers including tanker 132 (see below). Some information for Coulson has information on each aircraft in their fleet of firefighting aircraft on their fleet page.

Coulson Tanker 132, also a C-130H tanker, landed in Australia on or about October 21st.

She worked her first bushfire about a a few days later, flying out of Richmond NSW.

2023-24 Australian Bushfire Season: Two Coulson Airtankers Headed to Australia

 As Coulson finishes fall maintenance on their airtankers, those that are on contract or otherwise committed to Australia for their summer bush fire season are being sent to Australia. Tanker 133 is on her way to Richmond New South Wales Australia

Tanker 137 departed yesterday for Australia. I am not quite sure where exactly in Australia Tanker 137 is going, but I know that she will serve where needed. Nor do I know the exact details of how many more tankers Coulson is sending to Australia. 

Thanks to Coulson, the tanker pilots and support staff for helping out our friends in Australia during their summer bush fire season.

2023 Wildfire Season: Matts Creek Fire (final update)

 

I continue reporting on the Matts Creek Fire that was first reported on November 12th (see my November 22nd post for past updates.

As I write this the Matts Creek Fire has burned 11,020 acres and is at 93 percent containment. According to the final update on November 25th A type 3 incident management team assumed command on November 24th. Fire suppression and repair continue; trails and roads remain closed in the fire area on November 25th.

Friday Fun: Raymonde de Laroche

I have been reading a book about women in in the very early days of aviation: Before Amelia: Women Pilots in the Early Days of Aviation by Eileen F. Lebow. While many women were involved in ballooning and dirigibles, including some of the first female airplane pilots, the women that I have read about flew airplanes. The first women to obtain a pilot's license was the Raymonde de LaRoche (from France) on March 10, 1910, earning license # 36 issued by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. I must note that she was not the first female airplane pilot but she did obtain the first pilot's license issued to a women.

Here is a 24 minute biographical video about Raymonde de Laroche from Forgotten Aviation, a direct link to the video may be found here.

P.S. (added on November 27th) I think but am not certain that Raymonde de Laroche was not born into being a Baroness, at some point someone called her Baroness and it stuck.

On Thanksgiving Day Thankful for Wildland Firefighters and All First Responders

Direct link to video on YouTube

As I pause today to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family I am taking time to remember all that I am grateful for. I post this in thanksgiving and gratitude for wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air along with those that provide invaluable support behind the scenes. I remember the structure firefighters who may provide structure protection along with the other first responders such as law enforcement and EMTs. Some of you are away from your family and friends working on the fireline so that we may be safe. I write this so that you know that I am thinking of you today as you work the fireline or doing behind the scenes work or are on call as first responders. I want you to know that what you do matters and I know that you are sacrificing your time with your family and friends to do this important service. I pray for your safety. 

2023 Wildfire Season: Matts Creek Fire (update #2)

Direct link to video on YouTube from WSLS

I continue reporting on the Matts Creek Fire that was first reported on November 12th (see my November 20th post). At the time that I write this, the Matts Creek Fire has burned 11,020 acres and is at 57 percent containment. A substantial rainfall last night (about 3.5") aided the efforts of the firefighters who took a dat off of the fireline for training and the like. The firefighters returned the fireline today to continue working the fire. See this November 22nd update. The Blue Ridge Parkway is now open but the heavy rainfall last night may lead to some debris spills in the fire area.

The map below was created on November 21st. 

Obtained on November 22, 2023 from Matts Creek Fire Nov 21st Fire Mapping on Inciweb

2023 Wildfire Season: Matts Creek Fire

Direct link to video from WSLS 10 on YouTube

A friend of mine contacted me early this past weekend to ask me if I knew about a wildfire that was burning in or near the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia because she had been in touch with a friend who lives near that wildfire. She told me that at the time it was at 2 percent containment and her friend was reporting that the nearby schools were closed due to smoke. I believe, but am not sure that the wildfire my friend was telling me about is the Matts Creek Fire that at that time was at 2 percent containment. I promised my friend that I would keep an eye on the Matts Creek Fire, hence this post.

The video that I embedded above was done prior to the latest update (November 20th) from incident command which reports that the Matts Creek Fire has burned 10,106 acres and is at 27 percent containment. There are road closures in place, and trails in and near the fire area are closed. Here is an excerpt from the November 20th update:

In the northeastern portion of the fire, near Snowden, crews continued to improve fire lines and the area is looking very good and forward progression has stopped. Crews will search for and extinguish any “hot spots” in logs, stumps and under the ground.

In the southeastern portion of the fire near Big Island and Powells Store, fire activity was minimal.  Firefighters patrolled the area and removed fire-damaged trees. 

In the southwestern area fire lines have held well, increasing containment to 27 percent.

Firefighters continued to watch the Hercules Fire, a small fire that started yesterday across the James River. A local volunteer fire department had responded and contacted crews on the night shift for additional help. The fire was slightly under one acre in size. Crews will continue to monitor this fire throughout the day.

Here are some maps starting with two Google Earth images. The fire is near Snowden, Virginia. I then share a map of the Matts Creek Fire.

 

obtained on November 20, 2023 from https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-maps-gallery/vavaf-matts-creek-fire

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Elevated Fire Danger on Nov 18th

Elevated fire danger today. 

 

Here is the Fire Weather forecast for November 18th from the National Weather Service at Mt Holly:

Fire Weather Planning Forecast
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
406 AM EST Sat Nov 18 2023

.DISCUSSION...
Breezy and dry conditions are expected to develop today. Forecast 
minimum relative humidity during the daytime hours is near 30-40% 
for much of the forecast area, driest across the coastal plain of 
southern New Jersey and Delmarva. High temperatures will be mainly 
in the 50s and near 60 degrees near the coast, though temperatures 
may fall a few degrees by mid to late afternoon. This will be 
combined with sustained winds near 15-20 mph and gusts near 30 mph. 

Rainfall from overnight was generally 0.05" or less from near and 
northwest of I-95, and only some sprinkles fell southeast into 
southern New Jersey and Delmarva. Antecedent conditions have been 
quite dry, with little to no rainfall over the last several weeks. 
Thus, there is an elevated threat for the spread of uncontrolled 
fires today.

Sunday will also be on the breezy side, although not quite as dry or 
as windy. Forecast sustained winds will be near 10-15 mph with gusts 
near 20 mph and minimum relative humidity in the 35-45% range on 
Sunday. High temperatures mainly in the mid 50s.

A Special Weather Statement will be issued for the areas with 
greatest fire danger to highlight the threat of rapid fire spread 
today.

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: More Prescribed Burns

On November 13th, I shared photos from a prescribed burn that New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews conducted in Sussex County on November 11th, I continue writing about prescribed burns today. I do try to check out the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) on social media on most days because it is one of the ways that I can see what the NJFFS is doing or what is of interest to them at the moment. This week, I noticed two posts on consecutive days about prescribed burns that the NJFFS conducted on those days. Knowing that the NJFFS may conduct prescribed burns in the fall, I went to the NJFFS Prescribed Burns Information Page to find out exactly when the prescribed burn season is in New Jersey. I clicked on "planning" on that page and see that the prescribed burn season in New Jersey runs from October 1st to March 31st, in the following excerpt from this page you will learn a little about planning considerations:

Prescribed burning is a job requiring knowledge of forest fuels, fire behavior, suppression techniques, local weather conditions, and fires effects. Consequently, a written plan must be developed well in advance of the proposed burn to allow time for review and the preparation of all necessary permits. 

Planning considerations include a site map depicting the burn area, objectives and techniques; ranges of preferred weather conditions (wind, temperature, relative humidity); smoke management considerations (developed areas, highways); burning techniques, equipment and manpower needs, emergency suppression procedures, permit requirements and notification procedures. New Jersey's prescribed burning season is limited to the period between October 1 and March 31. 

I am very thankful that the NJFFS has a good prescribed burning program that helps to reduce fuels. I know that after planning and preparation for the burn that the crews work to do the burn safely and without impacting the public. I myself have seen road signs when I have been driving in or near an area with a prescribed burn letting drivers know of the prescribed burn. And their may be additional warnings so nearby residents know that a prescribed burn is happening.

 Thank-you New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Coulson Aviation Secured Three Year Contract in Chili

 

In a November 14th press release, Coulson Aviation announced that they have a three-year contract in Chili for firefighting. Specifically the contract covers a Lockheed C-130H and a Citation 550 air attack. The C-130H can carry up to 4,000 gallons of retardant. The Citation air attack plane works with the C-130H over wildfires. Here is an excerpt from Coulson's press release:

Coulson Aviation is pleased to announce it has been awarded a three-year firefighting contract with Chile’s Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) for a C-130H Hercules Large AirTanker and a Citation 550 air attack lead plane with its partner BRYSA. 

“We are honored to continue supporting Chile with our aircraft,” said Britton Coulson, President and COO, Coulson Aviation. “We have been successfully fighting fires in Chile for the past three years with our Boeing CH-47D’s and Lockheed C-130H’s with great success. This new contract solidifies Coulson’s presence with the largest airtanker in the country. It also recognizes the value our C-130 and Citation 550 working together to provide an efficient and productive aerial firefighting response.” 

2023 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Photos from a Prescribed Burn

On Saturday November 11 wildland firefighters from New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section A1 and A2 conducted a 25 acre prescribed burn in Montague Township located in northern Sussex County bordering New York and Pennsylvania.

Prescribed burns, aka Rx burns are an important tool to help reduce the risk of wildfires where wildland firefighting crews go in under very specific conditions to set fires to burn away underbrush. Go here to read more about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's prescribed burning program.

Here are some photos from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section A1 (shared on their Facebook page) of this prescribed burn. Click on the Facebook post below to see the photos.

Veterans Day 2023

 

 Today is Veterans Day here in the United States where we remember and honor all the men and women, past and present who have served in the military. I pause to say thank-you to all veterans for your service. 

Last year I shared this five year-old video by Richard Tavernaro as remembrance and tribute to all who served in the military. I share this again this year as a tribute to all who veterans past and present

Direct link to video on YouTube

Friday Fun: Harriot Quimby

I have been reading about early women aviators. The first women in the United States to get a pilots license was Harriot Quimby on August 1, 1911. Harriot flew in many air shows and she was the first women to fly across the English Channel on April 15, 2012, the same day that the Titanic sunk. Tragically she died at the Boston-Harvard Air Meet on July 1, 2012 when she was thrown from her plane. For more information read Harriot's bio at the Cradle of Aviation

Direct link to video on YouTube from the National Aviation Hall of Fame

2023 Wildfire Season: wildfire activity in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgnia

 I was talking to a good friend of mine who lives in western North Carolina. I visited with them six years ago to watch the solar eclipse, beautiful country. Anyway, they were telling about the wildfires in western North Carolina, one of them is about a 20 to 30 minute drive, as a crow flies, from their house. So I write this post for my friends and for another friend who lives in Virginia (but not near the wildfires). 

I understand from talking with my friend that they are very dry which is adding to the wildfire danger. Here is the latest map from the drought monitor

Note the areas of red in North Carolina. 

Kelly Andersson of Wildfire Today wrote an article on November 7th about Wildfire Emergencies in Virginia and North Carolina.

I thought the best way I could cover the wildfires emergencies in Virginia and North Carolina as well as wildfires in eastern Tennessee is to share some videos, the first two video are courtesy my friends at the New Jersey Forest Fires Section B10 Website who share wildfire videos each day on their home page (scroll to the bottom of the page to see today's videos. All three videos were uploaded to YouTube on or about November 7th.

Governor of Virginia declares emergency

Direct link to video on YouTube from WSLS 10

Wildfires in eastern Tennessee

Direct link to video on YouTube from WBIR Channel 10

Wildfires in western North Carolina, North Carolina

Direct link to video on YouTube from CBS 17

2023-24 Australian Bushfire Season: Western Australia Summer Bushfire season (November 6th)

It is summer in Australia and with summer comes bushfire season. Western Australia is seeing an impressive bushfire season with at least 100 bushfires burning as of a day ago.

I learned about the impressive bushfire season in Western Australia after reading a Facebook post from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service saying that they had dispatched two aircraft to Western Australia, a C-130 airtanker and a Citation aircraft.

Wanting to be sure that I had my facts straight, I found the Facebook post from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA confirming that they are getting a large airtanker.

2023-24 Australian Bush Fire Season: Two Erickson Air-Cranes headed to Australia

Two Erickson Air-Cranes Helicopters, both are S-64F models, N163AC and N178AC, otherwise known as Bubba and Isabelle have probably already left or will soon be leaving Long Beach CA for their journey to Victoria Australia for their summer firefighting season. According to the Erickson Incorporated Aerial Firefighting page of their Website, one of their clients is the National Aerial Firefighting Center in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Specs for the S-64F model can be found on this pdf file of S-64F Technical and Performance Information, that is available from the S-64 link on Erickson's fleet info page. 

Thank-you Bubba and Isabella, pilots, and support crew for your upcoming service in Victoria. Stay safe.

Pumpkins Are Not Only for Halloween: Water Storage Tanks for Wildland Firefighting

Perhaps this post is not timely as it is the day after Halloween here in the United States. Perhaps you have displayed a pumpkin and if not you depending on where you live, you may have seen pumpkins in your travels, I know that I have. 

In honor of the recent Halloween celebration here in the United States and more importantly, in honor of the important role that fire pumpkins, aka portable water storage tanks, play to support aerial wildland firefighting, I share an October 31st Facebook post from the Bureau of Land Management. I do know that when a wildland fire using helicopters are located in remote areas, these fire pumpkins play an important role. Time is saved because the helicopters can fill their tanks or bambi buckets near the fire. In addition, water tankers and engines can utilize the fire pumpkins to fill their tanks, again saving time.