NWS Incident Meteorologist (IMETs) 97 Yrs Old, What IMETs Do

Direct link to 2021 video from NOAA Boulder on YouTube

Regular readers of my blog probably know that I am interested in the National Weather Service (NWS) Incident Meteorologist (IMETs) who are deployed to help with wildfire incidents. IMETs also help with hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters. When I saw the US NWS IMET office post this message on Facebook the other day stating they are 97 years old, I knew that I wanted to write about IMETs and to say thank-you for 97 years of service, What IMETs do is very important and I have a great deal of respect for them.

Direct link to July 29th post by the US National  Weather Service IMET on Facebook 

The NWS has a page which I have referred to in my earlier posts on IMETs called "Eyes on the Sky: A Day in the Life of an Incident Meteorologist (IMET) on the Front Lines of a Wildfire"  It is a relatively short article discussing what IMETs do including a short discussion of the daily life of an IMET while deployed on a fire. They article says in part:

"Meteorologists from NWS work on the front lines to support agencies who prevent and fight wildfires, collaborating closely with state and local fire control agencies, as well as the Forest Service and other federal agencies.

Wildfires are not weather. However, weather conditions influence how easily a fire may start, how quickly it spreads and where the fire (and smoke) will move. Lightning strikes in dry areas are a common cause of these fires.

Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) help keep the fire crews safe by enabling responders to plan operations taking into account one of the most variable aspects of the incident — the weather. They are NWS Forecasters who have been specially trained and certified to provide weather support at a fire location.

IMETs keep firefighters safe by interpreting weather information, assessing its effect on the fire and communicating it to fire crews. Once on-site, IMETs become key members of the incident command teams and provide continuous meteorological support for the duration of the incident."

In the 12 minute video that I embedded at the beginning of this post you will hear Lisa Kriederman, who was Meteorologist and IMET in the NWS Boulder Colorado office when this video was recorded in 2021. She goes into a some more detail about what IMETS do with pictures. Among the topics she discusses: what IMETs bring to their deployment (all equipment, laptops, etc.), morning briefings, keeping up with weather forecasts, and working with incident managers and the community. This is only a brief list of Ms. Kriederman says IMETs do and I hope you take the time to watch the entire video.

2025 Canadian Wildfire Season: Final update, Musgrave Harbor and Chance Harbour Wildfires

 I just went to the Wildfire Dashboard on the Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Website to check the size of the Chance Harbour (1800 hectares) and the Ragged Harbour (1,660 hectares) Wildfires. I wrote about these wildfires on July 21st  and July 23rd I am pretty certain, but I could be wrong, that the Chance Harbour Wildfire is what is also referred to as the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire as it does appear to be burning near Musgrave Harbor.

The good news is that the Chance Harbour Wildfire is under control at 1,820 hectares (4,497 acres). According to the Wildfire Dashboard under control means "A wildfire having received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread of the fire."

The Ragged Harbour Wildfire is being held at 1,589 hectares (3,927 acres). According to the Wildfire Dashboard being held means "With currently committed resources, sufficient action has been taken to prevent fire spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries on a percentage of the fire based on prevailing and forecasted conditions"

Friday Fun: Alaska Aviation Operations

Direct link to video from AlaskaDNRDOF on YouTube

You will hear Andy Jones, Alaska's statewide aviation manager discuss air tankers, air attack and helicopters used to help groundcrews fighting wildfires. Enjoy

2025 Canadian Wildfire Season: July 23rd update, Musgrave Harbor and Chance Harbour Wildfires

I just went to the Wildfire Dashboard on the Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Website to check the size of the Chance Harbour (1800 hectares) and the Ragged Harbour (1,660 hectares) Wildfires, there is no change in the size of either fire since I wrote about these wildfires on July 21st I am pretty certain, but I could be wrong, that the Chance Harbour Wildfire is what is also referred to as the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire as it does appear to be burning near Musgrave Harbor.

I understand from the July 22nd evening report on The Telegram  that there has been some rain in the area of these two wildfires. Mandatory evacuation orders for residents of Musgrave Harbour remained in place. Groundcrews continue to work these fires with the aid of aerial support. The Chance Harbour and the wildfire burning near Musgrave Harbour are only 100 kilometers apart, both fires are still considered out of control. 

According to this July 22nd news release on the Musgrave Harbor Wildfire from the Government of Newfundland and Labrador there continue to be road closures in the area and this report confirms that evacuations remain in place.

I have been doing my best to monitor these two large wildfires burning in Newfoundland, and I won’t post another update until conditions change. 

2025 Canadian Wildfire Season: Musgrave Harbour and Chance Harbour Wildfires (Newfoundland)

Direct link to July 16th or 17th video from CBC News on YouTube

Direct link to July 20th video from Peter Barfoot on YouTube

I was vaguely aware of wildfires burning in eastern Canada, and I have to thank a Canadian friend for making me aware of the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire that is still burning in Newfoundland, Canada, He sent me a July 20th article from The Telegram with good information on the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire which was first reported on Saturday, July 19th with mandatory evacuation orders in place. As of July 20th, that wildfire has burned abut 1,700 hectares or approximately 4,200 acres. As an added and unexpected bonus the article my friend sent me also referred to the Chance Harbour Wildfire which according to the article has burned about 1,700 hectares

I did have a link to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center in my bookmarks and they do have a good map with locations of wildfires burning in Canada and a daily situation report with summaries by province of wildfires, through the situation report I found a link to a website for Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. When I navigated to their wildfire dashboard, I saw that one of my browsers was not able to display their map but I was able to navigate to a list of active wildfires. I was able to find current acreage burned for the Chance Harbour Wildfire of 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres). I found no information for a wildfire named Musgrave Harbour but there was information for the Ragged Harbour Wildfire which has burned 1,800 hectares. 

Regarding the two videos that I shared above, the video on the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire is dated July 20th and the approximate date of the video on the Chance Harbour Wildfire is July 16th. You will see Scoopers working the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire. Evacuation orders for some residents living near the Chance Harbour Wildfire were in place at the time the video was shot, I do not know if these orders are still in effect.

I wrote an update on these wildfires on July 23rd

NJFFS Huey at July 16th Airshow in Atlantic City NJ

Direct link to July 16th video from Zinger Aviation Media on YouTube

I have been wanting to share a video with you of a Bell Huey helicopter used for aerial firefighting in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. While this video does not show the bucket that the NJFFS Huey's carries you get to see the Huey up close and personal on the two passes it made at the July 16th airshow in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I believe that theThe New Jersey Forest Fire Service still has two of these helicopters which their website refers to as Bell 205 Hueys. To the best of my knowledge, the Bell 205 Huey is also known as the UH-1H Huey, see this website from Globalair for more information. In my wonderings around the internet on YouTube and Facebook, I have seen quite a few videos and photos of what appear to be Bell Hueys (exact model unknown) fighting wildfires, but without knowing for certain exact information I was reluctant to share. So, I am delighted to share this video of one of the NJFFS Bell Huey's which are used to fight many wildfires of various sizes in New Jersey.

My profound thanks go to my friends at the B10 New Jersey Wildfire Page for sharing this video on their website on July 17th. While I am at it, when you get a chance check out this website for their posting of videos relating to wildland firefighting as well as their photos of wildfires around New Jersey.

Good News: No Area in NJ and Adjoining Regions in PA and DE Falls Within Any Drought Categories

Direct link to July 17th Facebook Post from the National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt. Holly

2025 Wildfire Season: Madre Wildfire (CA) Final Update

 

Direct link to July 5th post by Neptune Aviation on Facebook

All things being equal, this is my final post on the Madre Fire that has burned 80,779 in and near the County of San Luis Obispo north of Los Angeles California. As I write this post, the wildfire is at 97 percent containment, wildland firefighting crews remain on scene to monitor the containment lines and put out any hotspots. I will continue to keep on eye on the Madre Fire on Inciweb for any significant changes in the status of this wildfire and if there are any such changes I will make another post. 

Here is a nice video from KSBY News on or about July 11th  on the role of airtankers and helicopters that took off from the Santa Marie Airtanker Base to fight the Madre Fire. I am sorry that I am not able to embed this video as embedding is disabled. I hope you take a couple of minutes to watch this video.

Here are links to my earlier articles on the Madre Fire: July 4th and July 9th

2025 Wildfire Season: Coulson Helos and 10 Tanker DC-10 Tanker in action

I do my best to follow Airtanker companies that contract with the US Forest Service or individual States on Facebook. Today I highlight 10 Tanker Air Carrier, 10 Tanker has a fleet of DC-10s, and Coulson Aviation. Coulson's fleet includes 

• CH-Helitankers,
• Blackhawk UH-60 
• Helitankers, 
• 737 Fireliner, 
• C-130 Hercules
• Sikorsky S-61 Helicopters

More information on Coulson's fleet may be found here, with some videos.

2025 Wildfire Season: NJ Forest Fire Service Deployed Out West

It means a lot to me to know that some New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) crews are deployed out west to help with western wildfires. I look forward to making this post each year and am grateful for the service that NJFFS crews, engines and other equipment are doing in other parts of the country. I am proud of the NJFFS and know that they will their best to be safe. I am always reassured to know from the NJFFS that they have more than enough crews, engines and equipment to fight wildfires in New Jersey while some of their crews are deployed out west.

2025 Wildfire Season: Madre Wildfire (CA) July 9th Update

Direct link to July 8th evening report from KGET News

This post updates the post I made on July 4th on the Madre Wildfire that is still burning in the County of San Luis Obispo that is a couple hours north of Los Angeles. According to the latest update from the Madre Fire Inciweb site (11:23 PM PST on July 8th) containment was at 55 percent, up from 35 containment reported in the video I shared. Acreage burned is now at 80,610 acres, a very marginal increase from 80,603 acres reported in the video. Acreage burned increased significantly from acreage burned on July 4th of 52,920 acres. 

Cal Fire has a page devoted to the Madre Fire that may be found here. As I write in their early morning update for July 9th (5:30 AM PST) they are reporting 62 percent containment and acreage burned of 80,610 acres and some evacuation orders are still in effect.

Links to my other articles on the Madre Fire: July 4th and July 16th

Billings Flying Service: CH-47 Helicopter

Direct link to video from Billings Flying Service on YouTube

I got interested in posting about the CH-47 helicopter when I came across a video by Earl Watters, a helicopter pilot for Billings Flying Service on Facebook a couple of weeks ago. In this video, which I will share later, Earl shares about Boomer, the CH-47 he flies. I contacted him and he gave me permission to share this video with you. In the meantime I checked out Billings Flying Service and liked the details that they provided on their webpage. For example, go to their home page where you will find the video that I embedded at the beginning of this post. Billings provides some good information about their fleet of helicopters: CH-47, Bell 206 and UH-60A. In fairness, I should note hear that there are other aviation companies that fly CH-47 helicopters such as Coulson Aviation USA.

Just today thanks to a May 16th article on Aerial Fire about Earl Watters and Boomer and that linked  to a short article from B105, The Northlands #1 for New Country. When I went to the B105 article about Boomer and Earl in early May I found some good information about Boomer and a little information about Earl. You will see a couple of videos of drops that Boomer made on a couple of wildfires in Minnesota in May. This article states that that it takes only 40 seconds for Boomer to fill up with 2,300 gallons of water, going on to say that Boomer has to refuel after two hours of flying. Earl contacted me to clarify Boomer's fuel consumption, Boomer consumes 50 pounds a fuel a minute (not 50 gallons).

Prior to writing this post, I checked my blog to see what other articles I had written about the CH-47 and found my November 18th 2022 post on the CH-47 with some of the same information about Billings that I used here. In addition, if you go that post, you will see a five minute from Earl Watters about aerial firefighting with a  Billings CH-47. Take a few minutes to go and watch the video.

Some information  from Billings on CH-47 performance and stats, go here for more details

• Range: 360 nautical miles
• Fuel burn: 340 GPH (gallons per hour)
• Cruise speed: 140 knot
• Maximum hook weight: 26,000 pounds
• Maximum engine horsepower for each engine: 5,000 hp

Billings CH-47 for aerial firefighting, go here for more details (with video)

• Buckets: 2,700 gallons maximum capacity, full load release in three seconds
• CH-47D tanks: 2,500 gallon capacity, fill rate of 4,000 gallons per minute. full load release in three seconds

Here is Earl Watters in his Facebook video from May discussing the performance of Boomer, the Billings CH-47 he flies.

2025 Wildfire Season: Madre Wildfire (CA)

7 PM, July 4th

At the time that I am writing this update, according to the Madre Fire Inciweb site the Madre Fire has burned 70,800 acres and is at 10 percent containment. It has been windy in the area that the fire is burning, accounting for some of the growth in acreage burned. I have a better map for you showing the location of the fire in northern California.

Links to my other posts on the Madre Fire:  July 9th and July 16th

Obtained at 6:50 PM on July 4th from https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/7/2/madre-fire

9 AM, July 4th

Direct link to video from News Channel 3-12 on YouTube

I learned about the Madre Fire through my newsfeed on July 3rd. The Madre Fire, first reported on the afternoon of July 2nd,  is currently burning near the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County in California has burned 52,592 acres and is at 10 percent containment as of the evening of July 3rd. It is the largest wildfire to date in California. Evacuation orders as well as evacuation warnings are in place. Road closures are in place. Helicopters are working the fire to aid wildland firefighters on the ground. For more information on the Madre wildfire see this inciweb site. Cal Fire has a webpage devoted to the Madre Fire that may be found here.

Obtained at 9 AM EDT from Cal Fire at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/7/2/madre-fire

Firefighter fatally shot at Idaho Wildfire Identified

Direct link to video from ABC& on YouTube

Rest in peace Battalion Chief Frank Harwood of the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Department and John Morrison of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. I have been praying for you and your families in the aftermath of this tragedy. 

I am praying for the healing of Engineer Dave Tysdal of the Coeur d'Dalene Fire Department who remains in critical condition