2023 Wildfire Season: Panhandle Helitack Year in Review

I am always interested in the good work that various helitack crews do to support crews on the ground fighting wildfires whether it be bucket work or bring in gear, food and other material that crews on the ground in remote areas need. Of course, in some cases I suppose that helitack might transport crews to remote areas or perhaps there are other helicopters that transport crews to and from remote areas. 

The other good work that helitack crews do is in igniting prescribed burns in remote locations using either plastic fires that ignite when they hit the ground or special torches.

As I was looking at a couple of social media groups on Facebook focused on aerial firefighting I came across a post by the U.S. Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests shared a couple of weeks highlighting the work that the Panhandle Helitack Crew did in 2023. They flew to 64 wildfires and did 13 prescribed burns. The Panhandle Helitack Crew does bucket work, transports ground crews to remote locations on a wildfire,  transports gear and equipment to crews on the ground in remote locations, and does prescribed burns. I share a short post from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests with relevant photos showcasing what they do and a thorough but concise description of their work in 2023. Click "see more" to see their full post. 

Reflections on Fifteen Years of Blogging on Aerial Wildland Firefighting

It was in January 2009 that I made a commitment to devote this blog to aerial wildland firefighting and related issues. If someone had told me 25 years ago that I would be writing a blog on aerial wildland firefighting I would not have believed them. Then a series of changes in my life 20 years ago started me on a quest to do some writing. I wrote a couple of articles related to a former job and then I took a trip to Malawi in 2007. I began this blog to record my thoughts before, during, and after my trip to Malawi. I had some hopes of turning my time in Malawi into something more than just a life changing trip. So I knew that at some point I would have to find something else to write about. I ran out of things to post about Malawi in early 2008 and then spent a few months writing about various things that interested me.

I got interested in wildland firefighting in the fall of 2008 after following a major fire in California so I began learning about wildland firefighting. To be clear, I am not a wildland firefighter, nor am I a pilot. It is hard to explain but deep down inside I knew that I wanted to write about aerial wildland firefighting and I knew that not being in the business would pose some challenges. I have to give credit to a couple of friends of mine for encouraging me to follow this dream, especially Tom Janney. Without Tom’s early help and encouragement and a couple of other friends in the business. the early days of this blog would not have been possible. 

I can never write from the point of view of a wildland firefighter or those who flew tankers and helos in support of wildland firefighters on the ground. What I lack in first hand experience, I’d like to think that I make up with my passion and some research skills that I learned in graduate school and a think tank where I used to work as support staff.

I make no money off this blog, it has been and will remain a labour of love. Sure I get discouraged sometimes, wondering why I keep the blog going. During those times when I am discouraged either something happens in the world of wildland firefighting that gives me a reason to keep going or a firefighter friend tells me that I need to keep this blog going. 

I owe a debt of gratitude to some good social media groups, blogs and websites for letting me observe news on current and past wildfires as well to my friends in the wildland firefighting business (past or present) for answering my questions. I sometimes delve into related areas, such as weather events, and first responders responses to flooding and the like. 

For those of you reading who are wildland firefighters on the ground or in the air and your support teams, I want you to know how much I care about what you do. In the way that I can, I hope that I honor you in this blog.

Finally, I save the most important people for the last. That is you, my readers. Whether you drop by only on occasion or are a frequent reader, I do this blog for you. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for reading and being a part of my journey. I hope to keep this blog going for many more years. 

Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Flew Last Flight

Direct link to video from NASA Jet Propulsion Lab

The little helicopter that could, Ingenuity surpassed all expectations by flying 72 missions on Mars. She was only expected to fly five flights in a month. She made her first flight on April 19, 2021. To read more about Ingenuity and her last flight see this NASA press release. In honor of Ingenuity I embed this video from NASA Administrator announcing her last flight. 

Direct link to video from NASA on YouTube

2023 Wildfire Season: Snake River Hotshots Crew Video

 Enjoy the Snake River Hotshots 2023 Crew Video. The Snake River Hotshots are hosted by the Idaho Falls District of the Bureau of Land Management.

Direct link to video by Owen Foster on YouTube

A Shout Out to firefighters working fires in frigid temperatures

New Jersey and other areas in the eastern United States has seen some frigid temperatures over the last few days. This morning I found myself thinking about the firefighters, structure and wildland along with other first responders who are out doing their jobs to keep us safe. I am not sure if it is too frigid for brush fires here in New Jersey, especially with snow on the ground that might well hinder a brush fire from starting. But I do know that houses and businesses can catch fire in any weather and when the temperatures are below freezing, these conditions have to be challenging for the firefighters as well as there equipment. I am here this morning to give a shout out to all firefighters and other first responders who have been working in frigid temperatures the last few days. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for all you do, your efforts on our behalf are noticed. 

The video that I am embedding below is from WGN News out of Chicago Illinois reporting on a couple of fires on or about January 14, 2024. You will see them fighting fires in single digit temperatures with below zero wind chills. Note the ice on the burning houses.

Direct link to video from WGN News on YouTube

Friday Fun: A look at NASA astronaut training in a T-38

 I am currently reading a book by former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino called "Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe". I don't normally write about the books that I am reading and I am not doing so here. However, I got the idea for today's Friday Fun post because I got curious about the T-38 trainer that NASA used for their astronaut training. I mention the past tense because I do not know if NASA still uses the T-38 in their astronaut training program. I thought that it might be fun to share a video about NASA's T-38 trainers so I found a video that I will embed here for your enjoyment. You will learn about the T-38 and why it is important for astronaut training

Direct link to video on YouTube from NBC News

Quaker Run Fire (VA), a Wildland Firefighter's perspective

 Thanks to Mike Archer's January 16, 2024 Wildfire News of the Day for providing the inspiration for today's post when he shared an article from the Daily Progress under the banner of the Madison Eagle. The article is "The Quaker Run Fire: From a Wildland Firefighter's point of view", dated January 15, 2024 may be found here . Some pictures from the Virginia Department of Forestry of the Quaker Run Fire may be found on their flicker page. The article in the form of a blog article is by John Rosetti, DOF Hardwood Iniative Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The Quaker Run Fire in Madison County Virginia was reported in late October 2023 and was at 100% containment in late December, burning just shy of 4,000 acres.

Direct link to video from 29News - WVIR Charlottesville VA on YouTube

Mr Rosetti walked us through fighting the Quaker Run Fire, I hope that you take some time to read the article that I cited above. I don't always know how long these links will last so I am listing some salient points that I took from his article.

1. Most wildfires in Virginia are fought during the day, however larger fires such as the Quaker Run Fire are also fought during the night.

2. Early on nighttime patrols of the Quaker Run Fire focused on ensuring that the fire did not jump containment lines and looking for spot fires. Once some containment was achieved, the nighttime focus shifted to eliminating dangers such as dead trees (aka snags) as well as other dangers.

3. During the day as many as 200 wildland firefighters were working the fire with the support of helicopters, engines, UTVs, and bull dozers.

4. A good map of the fire is essential, such a map was created early on and amended as required showing the location of structures, roads, trails and other areas requiring protection.

5.After several days, a written Incident Action Plan (IAP) was developed to help wildland firefighters and other responders work the fire and stay safe. The IAP was updated nightly for the following day.

In honor of Martin Luther King Day: Black Aviators

 In honor of Martin Luther King day I am embedding a video from the Jim Crow Museum on the important role of Black Aviators in aviation. Enjoy.

Direct link to video from the Jim Crow Museum on YouTube

Friday Fun: A behind the scenes look from the cockpit of CAL Fire Air Attack

Enjoy this 2022 video from the Grass Valley Air Attack Base in California of a behind the scenes look at air attack on the Still Fire. Grass Valley has an account on Facebook, but you need to have a Facebook account to access their page. You will hear various radio traffic related to the Still Fire and there is cockpit footage from various air craft working the fire, including the OV-10 Air Attack (spotter), a helicopter and a CAL FIRE air tanker.

Direct link to video from Grass Valley Air Attack Base on Youtube

2023 Wildfire Season: Lone Peaks Hotshots 2023 Season

On the day after we had yet another rain storm leaving a couple of inches during the overnight coupled with high winds leading to significant river flooding, I am very greatful to see the strange yellow orb. Before I get to the point of this post, I implore everyone to not drive past and barricades near rivers and creeks, turn around don't drown. Please. For more information on flood safety see my December 18, 2023 post (the day after a significant rainfall), Turn Around Don't Drown.

Today I want to share a video summarizing the 2023 season of the Lone Peaks Hotshots, they are based in Utah. 

Direct link to video from the Lone Peak Hotshots on YouTube

Coulson 737 Fireliner Tanker 22 arrives in Argentina

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

While looking at some of my social media feed related to aerial wildland firefighting this morning, I came across an article in Aviacionline (english feed) dated sometime in late December 2023 that Coulson Aviation delivered one of their Boeing 737 Fireliners to Argentina, South America. This is the first airtanker that a South American country has purchased. This 737 Fireliner is fully renovated and tanked and ready to go. The Aviacionline article about the purchase of the Coulson Boeing 737 Fireliner may be found here. 

Coulson has a short video reel about the arrival of their 737 Fireliner, known as tanker 22, on their Facebook page, dated December 24, 2023. I am sorry that due to restrictions I am unable to embed the video, I hope that you all take a few moments and go to the link and take a look at tanker 22, she is a nice looking air tanker.

2023 Wildfire Season: Coulson Quick Reaction Force (CA) Highlights

I stumbled upon a nice nine-minute video from Coulson Aviation on their Facebook Page highlighting their Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in 2023. Before sharing the video I want to provide some context of exactly what the Quick Reaction Force is. The Quick Reaction Force is a partnership between Coulson and Southern California Edison, Ventura County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority and Los Angeles County Fire Department for 24/7 aerial wildfire operations. The video that embed below from Coulson discusses the Quick Reaction Force.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

I am sorry to say that due to restrictions I can not embed the nine minute video highlighting Coulson's 2023 QRF operations. I urge you to go directly to Coulson's Facebook Page where you should be able to watch this video.  I enjoyed watching this video, some great photography including some images of night-time operations.

Note: To the best of my knowledge you do not need a Facebook account to watch the video, you may get a prompt to enter account info for Facebook or set up an account. Just close the window and you should be able to watch the video.

2023 Wildfire Season: NWS Incident Meteorologists 2023 Summary

 The NWS Incident Meteorlologists (IMETs) had a busy 2023 season, see the embedded post below from their Facebook Page. Fully qualified IMETs were deployed to 149 missions with trainees being sent out on 27 missions (working with a fully qualified IMET). The 30-year normal number of IMET deploynets is 117. Note the word "mission." In following IMETs over the years, I have learned some wildfires see more than 1 IMET. Perhaps two IMETs are working one fire in different locations. Alternatively, an IMET may finish their two week deployment and another IMET is then deployed that that same wildfire.

Thank-you IMETs for all you do to keep wildland firefighters and the surrounding community safe during active wildfires. I am aware that you may work other non-wildfire events or may be deployed out of country to work a wildfire in that country.

Happy New Year

May you have a Happy, Peaceful, and Healthy New Years. Please stay as safe as you can. Thanks to the wildland firefighters, tanker and helo pilots and support staff who have worked this holiday season. I also thank all first responders who are working or are on call today.