Friday Fun: Coulson 737 Pilot Shares About a Typical Day

 It has been awhile since I have posted a Friday Fun aviation video. I saw this video on " A Day in the Live of a 737 Tanker Pilot" from Coulson Aviation a few days and knew that I had to share it with you. Follow Jonas, a Coulson 737 Tanker pilot as he takes you through a typical day. Allow over eleven minutes to watch the video, it is worth the watch. Enjoy.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

2025 Australia Bushfires: Tasmania (February 22)

 I have been thinking about the current bushfire season in Tasmania, Australia, see the Tasmania Fire Service for current local information. According to a February 22nd report on ABC News Australia, this is the third week of a bushfire emergency in Australia with 97,700 hectres burned (241,422 acres) burned and gusty winds have made it difficult for responders to fight the bushfires. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service continues to provide support to Tasmania.

Members continue to support Tasmania with fires burning on the state's west coast. Remote area firefighters, inserted via helicopter, are working to extinguish hotspots on remote fire edges. Two RFS helicopters also remain deployed, providing winch and waterbombing support. pic.twitter.com/VF5grnNid4

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 22, 2025

2025 New Jersey Prescribed Burning Underway

Direct link to video from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on YouTube 

Today, Feb 24, @NJDEPForestFire plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in Burlington, Gloucester, Hunterdon & Ocean counties.

🔥 Active / upcoming prescribed burn map: https://t.co/rOnoLpw39A
🔗 More info about prescribed burning: https://t.co/KkuhK2hswN pic.twitter.com/R1qttx2l5n

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) February 24, 2025

The late winter/early spring prescribed burning season in New Jersey is underway.  I saw the first notifications about prescribed burns in New Jersey on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service's (NJFFS) account on X (formerly known as Twitter) on February 22nd. The video that I embedded above was uploaded by the NJFFS in early spring of 2024. It is a nice short video with good information on the benefits of prescribed burns. The NJFFS has a nice page describing their prescribed burning program including some history, information on planning including the fact that the prescribed burning season is limited to October 1 to March 31, and conducting the burn along with other information. The NJFFS first conducted prescribed burns in 1928. The NJFFS has a good summary of prescribed burns on that page:

The primary purpose of prescribed burning in New Jersey is to reduce the hazardous accumulations of forest fuels. This aids in the prevention of wildfires, reduces the intensity of the fires, and also provides a foundation for safer, more effective fire suppression and protection operations.

It has proven to be an effective and economical practice in protecting New Jersey's forests and safeguarding the state's residents. While the principle reason for prescribed burning is wildfire hazard reduction, it also has numerous secondary benefits, including:

• Wildlife habitat management
• Site management for forestry activities
• Ecological plant and animal management
• Forest disease and pest control

• Nutrient recycling
• Grassland management
• Improved accessibility
• Enhanced appearances

 I will keep an eye on the prescribed burns that the NJFFS is conducting.

Coulson Aviation Retired the Phillippine Mars

 

Direct link to video from 12NewsAz on YouTube

The JRM Mars aircraft or flying boats were built in the early 1940s with delivery of the First Martin Mars in 1945. I believe that only seven were built. 

In 2007 Coulson Aviation bought two JRM-1 Mars aircraft, The Hawaii Mars iI and the Philippine Mars. These aircraft or flying boats were used for aerial wildland firefighting. The Hawaii Mars II saw its last stint fighting wildfires in 2015, when there were no buyers the Hawaii Mars II was retired to the British Columbia Aviation Museum a few months ago. The Philippine Mars required some maintenance overhauls before it could be retired to the Pima Air and Space Museum. The Aviationist has a nice article on the Philippine Mars and the other Martin Mars flying boats, go here to read this article (I hope this link works for you, my apologies if it does not.)

Direct link to video from Tobyn Burton Aviation Videos on YouTube

Direct link to video from AirRailImages on YouTube

As you can see from the videos that I have embedded above, the Philippine Mars took off from Sprout Lake in British Columbus on February 9th.

The legendary Philippine Mars is on her way to Arizona, and thanks to our partnership with SKYTRAC, you can track her journey in real time!  #coulsonaviation #philippinemartinmars 

📍 Track her progress here: https://t.co/Giv1mJwYdm pic.twitter.com/x65yHOpZeY

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) February 9, 2025

She arrived at Lake Pleasant Arizona on February 11th.

The Philippine Mars has arrived in Arizona! ✈️ After an incredible journey from Sproat Lake, she’s now en route to her forever home at the Pima Air & Space Museum. A historic chapter closes, but her legacy lives on. #philippinemars #aviationhistory #coulsonaviation pic.twitter.com/oVJs1iQ2Xn

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) February 12, 2025

The Philippine Mars was disassembled for transport to the Pima Air and Space Museum where it will be assembled before going on display at the museum go here for more information.

2024 Wildfire Season: Blue Mt Fire Lehigh Twshp PA (Nov 2-8)

Direct link to video by Northeast Bravest on YouTube

I am often, on the lookout for current or past wildfire activity in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas of the United States. This is another situation where I found the video that I shared about by accident because I had looked at another video by Northeast Bravest on YouTube when I saw a couple of videos of footage from the Blue Mountain Fire that according to this November 8, 2024 Lehigh Valley News Article burned approximately 600 acres near Lehigh Gap in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. I believe but am not certain that the wildfire started on November 2nd. The fire was contained on November 8th. I enjoyed watching this five-video seeing helicopters and buckets and backhoes working the fire along with some nice fire footage. I may of heard about this wildfire at the time, but I was very busy following the 2024 fall wildfire season in New Jersey at the time. I am not meaning to make excuses, but it was all I could do to focus on the wildfire situation in my own State of New Jersey.

New Jersey Wildfire SMART

 

Direct link to video from NJ Spotlight News on YouTube

Some of you know that I did my best to post about the 2024 fall wildfire season in New Jersey, the worst wildfire season in about 100 years. On February 13th New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an initiative called New Jersey Wildfire SMART aimed at various actions that can be taken to reduce the risks posed by wildfires. In a February 13th press release announcing the New Jersey Wildfire SMART initiative, they say in part:

“New Jersey experienced significant dryness this past fall, resulting in an extended wildfire season throughout the state in 2024 and providing a sobering reminder that we must be prepared for the spring wildfire season,” said Governor Murphy. “It is more important than ever that we share information and continue to work collaboratively to protect lives, properties, and communities.” 

 

“Preparedness is essential, especially as climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of wildfires in New Jersey,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “We need to be even more vigilant going into the spring wildfire season and follow the actions of NJ Wildfire SMART, which will help mitigate wildfire risk statewide.”

 

“The Forest Fire Service works year-round protecting New Jersey communities from the threat of wildfires,” said Greg McLaughlin, Administrator for Forests & Natural Lands. “In addition to protecting lives and property, the Forest Fire Service assists with natural disasters, maintains hundreds of miles of roads, works alongside multiple cooperators to develop and implement strategic plans that reduce the risk of future wildfires, and lends their talents to other states when wildfires strike.”



“Meeting with municipal partners ahead of New Jersey’s spring fire season is essential to strengthening communication, coordination and preparedness when addressing wildfire risk and responding to developing incidents,” said Bill Donnelly, Chief of the DEP Forest Fire Service. “We share the common goal of ensuring New Jersey’s communities and forest resources are protected from wildfires, and today’s roundtable allows us to proactively address any concerns.”

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a new webpage devoted to New Jersey Wildfire SMART where they discuss safety, mitigation, awareness, and training along with NJFFS videos on prescribed fire, fire towers, and the use of Single Engine Airtankers to help the firefighters on the ground fight wildfires.

2025 Australia Bushfire Season: Tasmania Bushfire emergency (Feb 14th)

Direct link to video from ABC News Australia

Direct link to video from ABC News in Depth (Australia)

I posted about the bushfire emergency in Tasmania, Australia on February 12th. The bushfire emergency continues in Tasmania. For more information see the Tasmania Fire Service page and the Tasmania Fire Service incidents and warnings page (updated daily), with a map. Evacuations are in place. Please take a few minutes to watch both of the videos that I embedded above. 

2025 Australia Wildfire Season: Bushfire Emergency in Tasmania

 It is winter in my part of the world in the northern hemisphere which means that it is summer in the southern hemisphere. Like other parts of the world, summer in Australia means increased bushfires. I try to keep my eyes open for bushfire activity in Australia. I follow the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) on Facebook where I recently saw that they had sent their tanker, the Marie Bashir to Tazmania to assist with their bushfire season.

With the deployment of aviation assets and logistical support to Tasmania, as well as aerial intelligence aircraft to South Australia over recent days, RFS personnel and equipment are currently deployed to four different state or across the entire east coast of Australia. pic.twitter.com/7QtneG4tG0

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 10, 2025

 

 In addition to sending the Marie Bashir airtanker to Tasmania, they NSWRFS also sent supplies and equipment to Tasmania

A convoy of six large #RFS trucks is traveling through Victoria, carrying supplies & support staff for a 150-person base camp to assist firefighting efforts in Tasmania. Heading to Geelong, they will board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry. Give them a wave if you see them! pic.twitter.com/TGq9VysYMR

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 11, 2025

As you can see from the two videos that I have embedded below, Tasmania declared a bushfire emergency on or about February 12, thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page for sharing this video today. According to the second video from ABC News Australia, sixteen bushfires have burnt 45,000 hectares of bush or approximately 112,000 acres. I wish all the crews on the ground and in the air working the bushfires in Tasmania the best and that may be safe as the fight these bushfires.

Direct link to video from Sky News Australia on YouTube

Direct link to video from ABC News Australia on YouTube

 

C-130 MAFFS working January 2025 CA Wildfires

Direct link to video from US Military Action on YouTube

When there are not enough USDA Forest Service contracted airtankers to go around, there are eight Modular Aircraft Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) that are used by eight C-130 aircraft at three National Guard Unit and one US Air Force Reserve Unit, each military unit has two C-130s that can be equipped with MAFFS:

• 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, Port Hueneme, California 
• 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, Reno, Nevada
• 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyoming 
• 302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, Peterson Air Force base, Colorado

A MAFFS is loaded onto the C-130 for firefighting, you will see this at about the three minute mark in the video. For more information on the USDA Forest Service MAFFS go to this website.

I only just found out that allC-130's equipped with MAFFS were activated to help fight the wildfires that burned in southern California in January 2025. I had come upon the YouTube video that I shared above. I wanted a little more information to share with you and found a nice article with a video from Air & Space Forces Magazine reporting on the activation of the eight MAFFS equipped C-130s. I checked the Aerial Fire Magazine that I subscribe to and saw this January 22nd Aerial Fire article and video showing a C-130 MAFFS from the 302nd Airlift Wing working the Palisades Fire.

Looking Back on New Jersey's 2024 Wildfire Season

 I follow the NJ Forest Association, they are a good group that advocates for all forests in New Jersey, see their about us page for more information on their mission, organization and objectives. One of the things they do is to do a monthly webinar on backyard forestry with seminars on a variety of issues affecting people who live in or near forests, perhaps owning some forest lands. Last January their webinar focused on forest fire risk and prevention, and sharing about the 2024 wildfire season in New Jersey with representatives from the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS). Their 90 minute January webinar is on YouTube and may be found here. They start by discussing some history of the NJFFS and their organization. For those who are interested, the information on New Jersey's 2024 wildfire season that I am referring to in this article starts at about 22 minutes into the video and continues for about 25 minutes (57 minutes), if you watch the video you will get a lot more information. I am barely skimming the surface on the New Jersey's 2024 wildfire season.

Thanks to the NJ Forest Association's January 2025 webinar on forest fires in New Jersey, I had access to more detailed information on the 2024 wildfire season then I usually do. I thank you at the NJ Forest Association for presenting the January 2025 webinar and to the NJ Forest Fire Service presenters and staff who put the information in this video together. 

Using some of the information in the NJ Forestry Associations January webinar on forest fires in New Jersey I am to provide some new and updated information to the post that I made on November 11th, Asides from adding information for one fire and adding some clarification, I am not revising the acreage burned numbers, these numbers can be considered preliminary and in a few cases the NJFFS revised acreage burned later on with better mapping and the like. Note that I only have information on major fires, fires that burned at least 100 acres. 

Before moving onto some more detailed information on New Jersey's 2024 wildfire season, I want to briefly mention the organization of the NJFFS. As you can see from the map, there are three divisions, division A in northern NJ, division B in central NJ and Division C in southern NJ. See the NJFFS Organization page for a description of the management of these divisions. 

Obtained on February 6, 2024 from https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/docs/adminboundaries.pdf

In 2024 there were 1,440 wildfires that burned 12,445 acres. If you are wondering how the 2024 wildfire season in New Jersey compares with prior NJ wildfire seasons, the NJFFS provided information on the number of NJ wildfires from 2013 to 2024. You will see that the 2024 wildfire season has the most wildfires.

• 2013: 990
• 2014: 924
• 2015: 1051
• 2016: 1053
• 2017: 636
• 2018: 629
• 2019: 737
• 2020: 1,033
• 2021: 946
• 2022: 1,175
• 2023: 1,193
• 2024: 1,440

The material presented by the NJFFS in the January webinar allowed me to break down the 2024 total acreage burned of 14,440 acres down into divisions:

• Division A: 544 wildfires burned 3,416 acres
• Division B: 410 wildfires burned 7,787 acres
• Division C: 486 wildfires burned 1,221 acres

I was interested in the information that the NJFFS provided on major fires (100 acres or more) in 2024. Please note that some of the numbers differ from what I presented in my  November 11th post on the 2024 fall wildfire season in New Jersey. This is because the exact number of acres burned can change after the fire is contained  because better mapping and other updates on the fire size were available.

• County Line Fire was started on April 24, burning 510 acres.
• Tea Time Hill Fire was started on July 4, burning 4.000 acres 
• Whip-poor-will Fire started on July 26, burned 1,167 acres
• Fishers Pit Fire started on September 9, burned 189 acres
• Industrial Parkway Fire started on October 26, burned 196 acres
• Halloween Fire started on October 31, burned 137 acres
• Craigmeur Lookout Fire started on October 31, burned 211 acres
• Shotgun Fire started on November 6, burned 350 acres
• Bethany Run Fire started on November 7, burned 360 acres
• Pheasant Run Fire started on November 7, burned 133 acres
• Cannonball 3 Fire started on November 8, burned 182 acres
• Jennings Creek Fire (NJ and NY) started on November 8, burned 2,283 acres in NJ

Thanks to this webinar, I can also provide NJFFS wildfire responses in 2024 by month:

• January: 34
• February: 89
• March: 229
• April: 228
• May: 89
• June: 208
• July: 110
• August: 86
• September: 168
• October: 507
• November: 392
• December: 84

2024 Wildfire Season: Idaho City Hotshots Crew Video

Enjoy this 15 minute minute from Krossed Saints summarizing the Idaho City Hotshots 2024 Wildfire Season.

Direct link to video by Krossed Saints on YouTube

Super Scoopers in Southern California Jan 2025

Among the aircraft used in aerial wildland firefighting in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere are the Canadair Aerial Firefighters, amphibious purpose built aircraft for wildland firefighting. De Havilland Canada holds the type certificate for these aircraft, The Canadair Aerial Firefighter aircraft are often referred to as Super Scoopers for their ability to quickly scoop water from various water bodies and return to the fire. There will often by a suitable water body for scooping in close proximity to a wildfire so Super Scoopers can make many drops in a short time period.

Quebec Canada has an arrangement to send two of their Super Scoopers to California each year. To the best of my knowledge these two Super Scoopers worked the January 2025 wildfires including but not limited to the Palisades and the Eaton Fires , in addition, at least two other Super Scoopers from Canada went to southern California to assist fighting these fires, see this article from Skies Magazine for more information . I do know that Bridger Aerospace out of Belgrade, Montana sent two of their Super Scoopers to southern California in mid January to help, see this article from Globe Newswire .

One of the Super Scoopers was struck by a drone, the person who flew the drone has been charged with unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, according to an  article on Fire Aviation for information about these charges.

Bridger Aerospace talked to CNN a couple of weeks ago about their Super Scoopers and took them on a tour of one of their Super Scoopers. The report on the Super Scoopers is at the beginning of the video, accounting for the first three minutes. The rest of the video is a report by Anderson Cooper on the progress that was then made on the Palisades Fire on or about January 16th. The Palisades fire was declared 100 5 contained on January 31st 

Direct link to video from CNN on YouTube