2026 Wildfires: Sandy Fire (Ventura County CA) contained

The Sandy Fire is at 100 percent containment as of May 27th at 2,183 acres. I don't always post when a wildfire is contained, however I found a video of ground and aerial operations at the Sandy Fire dated May 22nd that I wanted to share, at that time the fire was at 61 percent containment.

Aircraft Maintenace is Important

Direct link to May 24th post on Facebook by Coulson Aviation

Maintenance of aircraft -- firefighting aircraft, commercial aircraft and general aviation aircraft -- is very important to be sure that aircraft are safe to fly. Operators of aircraft including Coulson follow a maintenance schedule for their aircraft, some maintenance is more routine and other maintenance involves inspecting the whole aircraft. Aircraft parts may be replaced as needed in order to keep the aircraft safe to fly. I applaud the Aviation Maintenance Technicians who maintain aircraft for Coulson and other aircraft operators.

Memorial Day 2026

Direct link to the Armed Forces Medley from the May 24th 2026 concert in Washington DC shared by Rabbo

I remember all veterans who died while in service to the United States whether you served overseas or in a conflict. I remember.

2026 Wildfire Season: Sandy Fire (May 21) Ventura County, California

Direct link to May 21st video from LK Media on YouTube

The Sandy Fire has burned 2141 acres and is 40% contained.

2026 Wildfire Season: Sandy Fire Ventura County CA

Direct link to May 19th video from CBSLA on YouTube

I heard about the Sandy Fire yesterday burning outside of Los Angeles California in Ventura County. As of last night, the fire had burned 1698 acres and is at 5 percent containment. Approximately 43,000 were affected by evacuation orders last night. 

Remembering the Warren Grove Fire: May 15-16 2007

 

Direct link to Video on YouTube shared by NJFFS Section B10 

The 17-18000 acre Warren Grove Fire that burned in Ocean and Burlington Counties on May 15-16 2007 occured before I devoted this blog to wildland firefighting. However, I recall hearing about the Warren Grove Wildfire on the news, online and otherwise. I live about 1.5 hours from the NJ Pinelands where this fire occured, I try to get there every year and am looking forward to going in a month or so. I do remember driving by the area that was devastated by this fire perhaps in the summer of 2007 but definately a year later. I recall looking at the stands of dead trees and at the same time seeing the young pines that were repopulating the devastated area. A couple of years later I could barely tell where this fire occured. So I pause today to remember this fire, thanks to a May 15th Facebook post by the NJFFS Section B10. Only one home was destroyed and four others were damaged. I wrote about the Warren Grove Fire on a May 2017 post to my blog

Helicopter Aids in Rescue off Florida Coast

While I am not an expert, I have been interested in the work done by satellites in orbit around the Earth since I was a kid. When I saw the post below from NOAA Satellites and Information Service I knew that I had to share this with you. I am delighted that all from the crashed airplane were rescued.

Direct link to May 14th Facebook post from NOAA Satellite and Information Service

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Training New Wildland Firefighters

The Central Division of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) recently completed biannual training of new wildland firefighters. This training is recognized by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. This training includes training on the operations, trucks and equipment used by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. If you can not see the Facebook post from the NJFFS that I embedded below, please please go to their May8th Facebook post.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service Cross-Training with the Montana Department of Natural Resources

 

Direct link to March 6th video shared by the New Jersey Forest Service 

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has had a cooperative arrangement with the Montana Department of Natural Resources since 2017. I enjoyed this video about cross-training where the training focused on using helicopters to release ping-pong sized spheres that can be used to ignite lands for prescribed burning. Depending on the configuration of your browser. you may not be able to see the embedded video, if that is the case, please use the direct link.

Friday Fun: Air Tractors crop dusting in Australia

For Friday aviation fun, enjoy this five-minute video by Aggieman1125 depicting crop dusting in Australia with music. I have been fortunate to see crop dusters in action in New Jersey thanks to my friends at Downstown Aero Crop Service who invited me to come and watch them several years ago. For Example see my March 13 2020 post. 

Direct link to the March 2007 video on YouTube by Aggieman1125

New Jersey Forest Fire Service New Type 6 Engine

The NJ Forest Fire Service has a new engine, a type 6 engine with a 1.5 ton 4x4 truck chassis with following features: spare tire cabinet. drip torch holder, 150' booster reel, 135 GPM @ 50 PSI pressure pump, chainsaw cabinet, 12,000 lb winch, custom 250 gallon water tank, custom undercarriage protection, mud terrain tires, emergency lighting package, and a 35 quart recessed cooler. If you are unable to view the NJFFS Facebook post that I embedded below, please go here to view the video.

2026 Wildfire Season: Airtankers at Work

 

Conair at work in the above video assisting wildland firefighters on the ground, if you are unable to see the post that I embedded, go here to see Conair's post on Facebook

Two superscoopers doing good work helping wildland firefighters on the ground in Clay County, Florida, if you are unable to see the post that I embedded go here to see the post by AeroFlite on Facebook.

Fighting Wildfires in the Rockies: Operation Sky Hammer

Direct link to April 30th video from the Forest Service on YouTube

Enjoy this video about the Operation Sky Hammer program in Colorado where two Skycrane helitankers that can carry up to 2,400 gallons of retardant are used to help the wildland firefighters on the ground fight wildfires. 

Wildfire Burning in Everglades National Park (April 28th)

As someone with a special fondness for the Everglades in Florida, I was saddened to read about a wildfire that is currently burning in the Everglades, see this April 28th Facebook Post from Everglades National Park for more information and a couple of photographs.. As I write this post this wildfire has burned approximately 2,500 acres. US Route 41 aka the Tanami Trail remains open at this time but some parking areas and facilities are closed at this time. Note that I have embedded this post from the Everglades National Park below but depending on your browser you may not be able to view it, in that case refer to the link that I have shared

      

New Jersey Forest Fire Service Deployment to Georgia

I was delighted to read an April 25th Facebook post from the New Jersey Fire Service  saying that they deployed nine wildland firefighters, three type 4 engines and a pick-up truck to Georgia a couple of days ago to help with their devastating spring wildfire season. I am very proud of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for taking care of us during the spring wildfire season in New Jersey and the rest of the year.

Obtained on April 27 from https://www.facebook.com/NJForestFireService/posts/pfbid028gZz8a4pRnsiPwTKguEdpZu7qmYSmiE8T7Tidni5xAk4CFdN4kdFKJybtcU2Z1r9l

If you Fly Aircraft Fighting Wildfires can not fly

 Please do not fly your plane or your drone in fire zones anywhere in the US and globally. If you fly the wildland firefighters can not fly.

Obtained on April 24th from from https://www.facebook.com/FLForestService/posts/pfbid02xRGCguBrw9ccEjHWTDCXWEYyEh1HcJCwJaHAGqWNet5UyQ9eFssKhyxLpPp76R6Gl

2026 Wildfire Season in Florida (April 22nd)

Direct link to video on YouTube from the Florida Forest Service

Obtained on April 22 from https://www.weather.gov/jax/

As some of you know, I care about Florida so I try to pay attention to wildfire danger in Florida. Yesterday (April 21st) I saw a Facebook post from the Florida Forest Fire Service about the Railroad Fire. As of April 21st, the Railroad Fire as burned approximately 4,112 acres and was at 50 percent containment. Aerial resources that worked that fire included helicopters with buckets. Super Scooper aircraft and other air tankers. I commend the wildland firefighters on the ground as well as support personnel for their work, supported by aerial resources, in working this fire. 

However, extreme wildfire danger in Florida continues exacerbated by an eighteen month extreme drought that may not let up until rainy season (if does indeed arrive) at the end of June. To hear more about the wildfire danger in Florida please take several minutes to listen to this April 21st press conference  from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where officials discuss the Railroad Fire. The video is eighteen minutes with a question and answer period that starts about halfway through the video. The video is about eighteen minutes long with a question and answer period beginning about halfway through the video.

The Florida Forest Service has a nice webpage that may be found here with a variety of links where you can learn about wildfires, prescribed fire, recreation, forest conservation and protection and a section for forest landowners.

Thanks to a friend of mine from Florida who sent me a couple of links with April 21st media coverage of wildfires from News4Jax

• Brantley wildfire in southeast Georgia that has burned 5,000 acres and destroyed 47 residences
• Burn ban in Jacksonville FL area
• Wildfires create their own weather

NJ Wildfire History: April 20, 1963 - "Black Saturday"

This morning I noticed the NJ Forest Fire Service post about the largest fire in NJ History that broke out on April 20, 1963 in Burlington and Ocean Counties, burning 183,148 acres. This wildfire lead to the creation of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. I have a book about the NJ Pinelands where this fire burned and I have been there several times so I know of this fire. I remember the six people and one firefighter that lost their lives as well as the homes that were destroyed and residents left homeless.

I am not able to embed this video here, sorry that happens sometimes. Please take a few minutes to watch the video by clicking on the link

NJ 2026 Wildfire Season: Spring Wildfire Season Continues April 17th Update

Spring wildfire season in New Jersey is upon us. Thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 website who report that all New Jersey Forest Fire Service Fire Towers https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/fire-towers/ are staffed today and that all three NJFFS Divisions (A, B, and C) have firefighting aircraft at air bases in each division and ready to go to help the firefighters on the ground fight wildfires. I did see that all fire towers were staffed yesterday, April 16th and firefighting aircraft were on site in the three divisions.

If you are interested in daily updates during the spring fire season go to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10.
 

Obtained on April 17th from https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/fire-towers/

Incident Meteorologists are Important

Direct link to 2018 video from Goeff Liesik on YouTube

One of my interests in focusing on aerial and ground wildland firefighting is the role that Incident Meterologists from the National Weather Service have when they are deployed on wildfire incidents, see my July 2025 article for a longer article on Incident Meterologists (IMETs)a As we enter the spring wildfire season in the United States I am sharing a brief 2018 video from an Incident Meteorologist describing what he does

NJ 2026 Wildfires: West Deptford Twnshp, Gloucester County Contained

As I do almost daily, I go to Facebook to check the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for wildfire activity and prescribed burns. When I went to their Facebook page this past Saturday afternoon I saw a notice about a wildfire in West Deptford Township in Gloucester County NJ, with a notice that they would post a final update early Saturday evening. When I went back to check I saw that the fire in West Deptford Township had burned 160 acres and was at 100% containment. All roads were reopened. I am embedding the final post from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on the West Deptford wildfire here, but have summarized the post here and am also sharing a link to the NJFFS Facebook post in case you are unable to see my embedded post.

Don't Fly Drones Near Wildfires

Direct link to August 2025 video on YouTube from Airborne Firefighters

You will hear Chief Krussow, CAL Fire Battalion Chief and Air Tactical Group Supervisor. discuss why flying drones and airplanes near wildfires is dangerous. As you will see in the video, there are temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over some wildfires but it takes some time to get a TFR over a wildfire so many wildfires don't have TFRs. If you are flying a drone or a general aviation airplane you should heed any TFRs you see as you plan your flights. However, you may see smoke when there is not a TFR and you should keep your drone at least 15 miles from any smoke, the same holds for airplanes. Maintaining a 15 mile distance from wildfires will avoid a mid-air collision that could cost lives in the air and on the on ground.  

While the focus of this video is on CAL FIRE's operations in California, some of what Chief Krussow discusses in the video, such as aerial aircraft flight levels over a fire, the role of air attack, as well as not flying over a wildfire applies across the country and globally. For example, in New Jersey when airtankers are deployed over a wildfire there is a NJ Forest Fire Service helicopter that is flying over the fire with one of their roles being to direct firefighting aircraft over the wildfire.

Many years ago when I was on a flight in a small airplane as a passenger, we saw smoke in the distance as well as signs of fire on the ground. The pilot stayed away and while it was likely that the wildfire we saw had already been reported the pilot reported the fire just to be on the safe side. 

Coulson Aviation's New Aircraft for Lead and AirAttack

I was excited to see Coulson Aviation's April 7th Facebook post announcing that they have purchased five Citation aircraft from Canada for their Lead and Air Attack program. I enjoyed watching Coulson's video where I learned more about Coulson's new Citation aircraft. 

SEAT Training in SE Texas for Upcoming Wildfire Season

 

  Direct link to April 3rd video from KFDM News on YouTube

Annual training for current and new pilots and their aircraft who will engage in wildland firefighting over the coming wildfire season is occurring around the country. The pilots of SEATs (single engine aircraft) that will engage in fighting wildfires in southeast is going on at a small airport in Winnie in southeast Texas. Enjoy the video from KFDM News reporting on SEAT training 

At ARC Aviation in Winnie, crews are training and gearing up single-engine air tankers, known as SEAT aircraft, to respond quickly when flames break out. The pilots are being put through training exercises designed to simulate real fire conditions as the company prepares for what it expects could be a dangerous season. “We're doing pilot of the evaluation and check rides and training. We're getting ready for a pretty intense Fire season coming up due to the high drought levels and high temperature, record temperatures,” said Andrew Mitchell, CEO of ARC Aviation of Texas. 

Obtained on April 6th from https://kfdm.com/news/local/winnie-airport-trains-seat-air-tankers-as-southeast-texas-wildfire-season-ramps-up

Friday Fun: Review of Aerial Firefighting Missions in a Lockheed P2V (2015 to 2017)

Direct link to 2022 video from Bob Web on YouTube

I hope you enjoy this video from Bob Webb (air tanker pilot) of aerial fire bombing missions in 2015 to 2017. I have a special place for Lockheed P2V's as this was one of the first air tankers I learned about when I devoted this blog to aerial firefighting. It is possible that I shared this video earlier but it doesn't hurt to share it again.

NJ Forest Fire Service Update for March 31st: Prescribed Burns and Wildfire Contained

 

 

There were a few wildfires that burned on March 31st in Jackson Township (Burlington County. The fires were contained yesterday and I assume that the portion of I 195 that was still closed at the time the NJ Forest Fire Service posted the above update on their Facebook page is now reopened, at least I saw no signs of a closure when I checked this morning.

 

As you can see from the above Facebook post, the NJ Forest Fire did more prescribed burns in multiple locations in Sussex County NJ yesterday. As I understand it, yesterday (March 31st) was the last day the NJ Forest Fire Service can do prescribed burns

First New Fire Tower in New Jersey in 78 Years

Direct link to March 25th video from the NJ Forest Fire Service on YouTube

 

Direct link to March 25th video from PIX 11 News on YouTube

There s a new fire tower known as the Veterans Fire Tower  in Jackson New Jersey that was dedicated on March 25th. This fire tower replaces a decommissioned fire tower in Lakewood NJ. This is the first new fire tower in New Jersey in 78 years.  I do not go to the New Jersey shore as frequently as I used to but I am fairly certain that I had driven by the old Lakewood fire tower. I had heard that the Lakewood Fire Tower was being decommissioned and am glad to be able to report on the new Veterans Fire Tower. As a New Jersey resident who follows wildfire activity I know that important work that observers in fire towers to detect wildfires and then report them to the NJ Forest Fire Service who will then deploy wildland firefighters to work the wildfire. Many but not all of these wildfires can be contained while they are still small. To read more about the Veterans Fire Tower, the importance of fire towers and prescribed burning operations go to this March 25th press release from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Friday Fun: Dancing Airplanes

Direct link to video posted by Captain Bernoulli in December 2020 on YouTube

I wanted to share a funny airplane video for this week's Friday Fun. I remembered seeing the video that I shared here on YouTube awhile back and it fit the bill. I know that airplanes can not really dance in the way shown in this video, that is not the point. The point is that this video made me smile and giggle. I hope you enjoy this video

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Prescribed Burning March 25

Obtained on March 25th from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19DAFRnBog/

With the exception of Monday March 23rd when the weather was not conducive for prescribed burns the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has continued with prescribed burns in thirteen of twenty-one counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Counties). As I understand, weather permitting, prescribed burns will continue through the end of the month.

Obtained on March 25th from http://wildfire.nj.gov

 

1st Female Fire Observer for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service

As some of you know, I have an interest in the role of women in fighting wildfires and as well as providing support services for wildfires. I was especially interested when I came across a Facebook post by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service about Julia Cramer, the first female fire observer for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in 1921, she was nineteen years of age and served in the Batso Fire Tower in what is now the Wharton State Forest in the New Jersey Pinelands. I applaud Julia for her service and for being one of early women working for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.  

Friday Fun: Women in Aviation at Coulson Aviation

Direct link to February 2026 video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

I think that women are playing an increasing role in fire aviation as demonstrated by the video from Coulson Aviation that they recently shared on Facebook. I am always happy to see videos and images highlighting women's role in fire aviation. I believe that Coulson may have shared this video to honor women in aviation week a few weeks ago.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Prescribed Burning Continues

Obtained on March 18th from https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NJDEP/bulletins/40eddca

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues with prescribed burning today, March 18th in Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. 

Obtained on March 18th from https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/prescribed-fire-notifications/

For current information from the NJ Forest Fire Service about wildfires go to https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Prescribed Burns Continue and Brushfires

I understand from a conversation with a knowledgeable friend that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service  has extended the prescribed burn period to April 1st, probably because the two winter storms created wet conditions that were not conducive to prescribed burns. To that end, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service conducted more prescribed burns this past weekend on March 14th and again on March 15th in Burlington, Cape may, Gloucester, and Monmouth Counties. It is raining today so I don't think that any prescribed burns are happening today.

I also understand that there have been some recent brushfires in New Jersey. According to Jersey Coast Emergency News there was a brush fire in East Amwell Township (Hunterdon County) over the weekend, go here for more information. I have no further information on that brush fire. An addition, according to Jersey Coast Emergency News there were also several brush fires over the weekend. Finally, a friend told me about a small brush fire on Saturday, less than 5 acres near Manalapan in Monmouth County, NJ.

Florida: Aerial Prescribed Burns and Single Engine Eagle Helicopter

Direct link to Dec. 2025 video from VerticalPlus on YouTube

I know how important prescribed burning is as a tool to manage wildfire danger. As some of you may know, I consider Florida to be one of my special places so I have an interest in following how they fight wildfires. I enjoyed the video that I am sharing here from VerticalPlus about Florida's prescribed burning program and their use of an Eagle single engine helicopter. The state of Florida uses this Eagle single engine helicopter that has been converted from a twin engine to a single engine helicopter, for aerial prescribed burns because of its efficiency. I learned more about Florida's aerial prescribed burning program.

NJ Forest Fire Service - Prescribed Burns Conducted on March 10th & 11th

I follow the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook as well  as following the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page. Yesterday I noted in both sites that the NJ Forest Fire Service conducted prescribed burns in southern and central New Jersey in the counties of Burlington, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean. See this March 10th post on Facebook from the NJ Forest Fire Service for more information. 

Edited to add at 10:25 AM on March  11th: I just found out from the NJ Forest Fire Service Facebook account and the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page (links above) that the NJ Forest Fire Service is doing more prescribed burns today, March 11th in Burlington, Cape May and Ocean Counties. The NJ Forest Fire Service just posted a March 11th update on their Facebook page, go here to see their March 11th post.

Obtained on March 11th from https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/wildfire/prescribed-fire-notifications/

Note, the map that I shared here is the current map (March 11th) when I posted this entry. The map may be different if you access the site on a different day.

Transporting a MH-47 Chinook Helicopter

I have to admit that I never gave much thought to how large helicopters such as the MH-47 Chinook are transported when they are not able to fly. Yes, I was being a little dense. Anyway, I was intrigued when I was checking my Facebook feed this morning and saw this post by Coulson Aviation of a MH-47 Chinoom being transported by a large tractor trailer. I do believe but I am not certain that a smaller helicopter might be able to be transported by a large aircraft such as a C130 when they are not able to fly. Anyway, I thought that these pictures from Coulson might be of interest to some of you so I am sharing it today

Direct link to March 4th post by Coulson Aviation on Facebook

Friday Fun: AeroFlite Images from Spring Aerial Firefighting Training

 It is spring and that means that the spring aerial firefighting training for new and current pilots continues. Here are some nice images from shared by AeroFlite Aerial Firefighting on their Facebook account on March 5th with some nice photos by Eric Kiehn

Low Fire Danger in New Jersey (March 4)

 

NJ Forest Fire Service Fire Danger for March 4, 2026 

Knowing that at least in my area of New Jersey that there is still snow on the ground and the ground may be wet in areas where the snow has recently melted I had a feeling that fire danger in New Jersey is low as you can see from the images I posted. What I suspect but don't know for certain is that the snow on the ground coupled with wet areas where snow has melted might mean a delay in prescribed burning in New Jersey. I suspect that as soon as conditions improve for prescribed burning that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will start on prescribed burning and fire danger may increase. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a dashboard for wildfire conditions and restrictions that may be found here (note I could not access the full features on this site from Chrome but can in Firefox and Safari)

NJ Forest Fire Service Deployed to Texas

 I continue to be aware of the severe wildfire season that have impacted Texas, see my February 25th post. Information on the current wildfire situation in Texas (updated daily) may be found here (note that I am unable to view all of this site on Chrome). I am, as always, very grateful when New Jersey Forest Fire Crews are deployed out of State to help fight wildfires. I was happy to note in a February 25th post on X that a NJ Forest Fire Service Crew has been deployed to Texas to help fight wildfires.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service staff have been deployed to Texas to assist with wildfire suppression as the state experiences elevated wildfire activity. pic.twitter.com/yxNJBzFiIn

— New Jersey Forest Fire Service (@njdepforestfire) February 26, 2026

Friday fun: Helicopters Fighting Wildfire (Jan 23, 2026) in Western Australia

Direct link to Jan. 23rd video by Outbacktruckie on YouTube

Obtained from Google Earth on January 23rd, 2026

This is the end of summer in Australia which means that bush fire season may still be ongoing. I wanted to find a video of firefighting aircraft involved in fighting bush fires in Australia. What I found was this video of three helicopters refueling while fighting a bush fire on January 23rd near Boddington, Western Australia. What intrigued me about this video by Outbacktruckie was that he identified the three helicopters that are refueling. In addition, I got a somewhat closeup view of these helicopters while they are refueling. In the video you will see two Sikorsky UH60 helicopters (678. 679) and one Bell 214 helicopter (671). I was not able to find any information about the January 23rd bushfire near Boddington Western Australia on the Western Australia EmergencyWA website. 

2026 Wildfire Season: Oklahoma and Texas (February 23rd)

Direct link to February 23rd post from Bridger Aerospace on Facebook

I have been reading bout the wildfires burning in Texas and Oklahoma of late, see for example these articles:

• ABC7 Amarillo on February 22nd
• KBTX on February 23rd

I knew that airtankers and helicopters were responding to help wildland firefighters on the ground to battle these wildfires. Bridger Aerospace is only one of the responders, deploying two of their super scoopers. See the February 25th Situation Report from Oklahoma Dept of Agriculture, Food, and Forestery (note link might be updated daily), and the current wildfire information from the Texas A&M Forest Service (updated daily, I could not get map to display in Chrome but it worked in Firefox and Safari).

Aerial Firefighting: Getting Ready to Fly Fires in Fire Season

As various airtanker and helicopters companies under contract with State or Federal firefighting agencies two important things must happen, The first is that aircraft undergoes maintenance to be sure that each aircraft in the companies fleet meets various safety and  maintenance requirements. All features in the aircraft are looked at including but not limited to engines, pilot controls. the airframe, etc. See this January 30th Facebook post from Dauntless for more information and pictures about their winter maintenance program.

In addition to maintenance, annual winter/spring training of pilots and crews happens, including training for new pilots and refresher training for pilots who have previously flown fires for the company. The specifics of new and refresher training is usually mandated by the agency who contracts for the aircraft, covering the specifics of flying fires, aircraft safety and the like. See this short February 19th video from Aeroflite Aerial Firefighting on Facebook for a short glimpse into this training.

Friday Fun: 10 Tanker Turns Twenty

Direct link to May 2024 video from 12News on YouTube

My memories of 10 Tanker Air Carrier go back to the early days of my blog in 2009 when I was learning about different types of airtankers and what was involved in flying wildfires. I spent many hours over e-mail and on the phone with my friend Tom Janney, a former air tanker pilot in those days. I have distinct memories of watching many videos of a 10 Tanker working wildfires. 10 Tankers do a lot of good work dropping high volumes of retardant on wildfires. Tom Janney has since passed, and I am forever grateful for all that I learned from him as well as other tanker pilots who helped me out in those days. When I first saw this video from 10 Tanker on Facebook I thought immediately of Tom Janney, thank-you Tom. I share the link to this video in your memory. Unfortunately I am not able to embed the video here, the video is a little over two minutes long, please take a couple of minutes to watch this video.

Bushfire Threats in Victoria Australia Easing Up on February 18th

I continue to follow, as best I can, the bushfire situation in Victoria, Australia, a map of the location of current bushfires burning in Victoria may be found here  The bushfire that I am focusing on is the Trawool bushfire noted by the orange triangle, south of Seymore, on the map I linked to. Please note that this map is probably updated daily and depending on when you are reading this post, the information may be different. I took the liberty of taking a screenshot of this map at the time I am posting this article so that you may see the current map. You will note from the map that I linked to that there are other bushfires burning in Victoria. I am not familiar with exactly how bushfires are classified in Australia so I cannot say for certain if the other bushfires currently burning are of a lower threat condition.

According to a Feb 18th article by ABC News (Australia) a bushfire broke out near Trawool in Victoria Tuesday afternoon. The bushfire had burned about 148 hectares (or 366 acres) with 30 homes threatened and evacuations were in place. A February 17th video report from 7News Australia reports on the  Trawool bushfire may be found here, unfortunately I am not able to embed this video. 

As I write this post today, the latest information (see the screenshot that I copied below) I have on this bushfire is that the threat is reduced and officials continue to monitor and work the bushfire which is not yet under control

Extreme Bushfire Danger on Feb 16th in Victoria Australia

Direct link to February 16th Severe Weather Update from the Bureau of Meteorology

While winter continues in the United States, Australia is in the summer months meaning bushfire season. I have been wondering about bushfire danger in Australia and while I am not in the position to know weather conditions and attendant bushfire danger in all of Australia I do know that Victoria, Australia is experiencing extreme bushfire danger today (February 16 and 17th). According to this February 16th ABC News report and the video I shared above dry fuels and high winds in Victoria mean extreme bushfire danger, however weather conditions may change to lower this extreme fire danger later on.

Friday Fun: A Review of Helicopters and Air Tankers Battling Wildfires

For today's Friday Fun post I am posting a short video on some of air tankers and helicopters that help wildland firefighters on the ground fight wildfires. This video focuses on aircraft used in California.

Direct link to January 2026 from the National Wildfire Tracking Team on YouTube

Snow Drought in Western U.S. Raises Increased Concerns About Wildfire Danger

According to the latest drought monitor New Jersey and surrounding areas are still experiencing a drought, however at least in New Jersey we have had a fair amount of snow this winter. Recently we saw frigid temperatures for several days with temperatures below freezing. But while we in New Jersey and environs are not out of a drought no one has raised concerns, at least not yet, about water shortages. I saw this video on the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page today about a record snow drought in the Western U.S. raising concerns about water shortages and wildfire danger. 

Direct link to February 10th video from the Associated Press

Apologies for being very late in making my Wednesday post. 

Respect for Wildland Firefighters Working in Extreme Weather Conditions

Here in New Jersey we had a major snowstorm a couple of weeks ago followed by cold temperatures, below freezing most days. This past weekend the weather was downright frigid with highs lower than 20F and breezy conditions. The snow from two weeks ago is still present in my area. I am not in the position to speak to if wildfires occur in snow covered terrain. I can say the frigid temperatures that we have experienced the last couple of days made me appreciate that wildland firefighters work fires in all kinds of temperatures from very hot temperatures in the summer to frigid temperatures in the winter. I know enough to know that under their Nomex gear that they will have added layers to protect them from extreme cold. Here in New Jersey we could have had frigid temperatures with no snow on the ground which would have meant that if their was a wildfire, that New Jersey Forest Fire Wildland Firefighters would have been working a fire in frigid temperatures. Of course in other parts of the United States, the extreme cold is not necessarily uncommon in the winter.

The purpose of this short post is to give a shout out to all wildland firefighters both on the ground, in the air, and support personal for working in all extreme temperatures. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to keep us safe.

Aerial Firefighting: Helicopter Capabilities and Limitations

I have never been in a helicopter. Perhaps one day I will have the opportunity to ride in one. Nonetheless, I am interested in what goes into flying a helicopter, both for wildland firefighting and other purposes. I suspect that flying a helicopter for wildland firefighting poses a different set of challenges because they are not landing and taking off from airports or heliports. While the video I am sharing on "Helicopter Capabilities and Limitations" from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group is a part of a training course on helicopter operations in wildfires I learned a lot about what goes into flying a helicopter for wildfire operations. I am sharing this eleven-minute video because I learned a lot and I hope that some of you enjoy this video.

Direct link to January 2026 video from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) on YouTube

Wildfire Behaviour: Fire Weather

Direct link to January 2024 video from World of Wildland Fire (WETC) on YouTube

Fuels, topography and weather are the important components in how a wildfire behaves. In a given area fuels and topography won't change but weather, aka fire weather, does change. I believe that this video is probably directed at wildland firefighters, perhaps as a part of their training, however I learned something and have a greater appreciation of what wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air to keep us safe from wildfires. I hope that you find this video useful.

Wildfire Dozer in Action

I have a lot of respect for all wildland firefighters whether they be on the ground or in the air. Wildland firefighters on the ground may be operating dozers. Dozers are important in wildland firefighting. One of the important roles that dozers play are in clearing large line around a fire to help contain the wildfire. And there are other roles that dozers play in working wildfires. I know that the New Jersey Forest Fire Services operates dozers when needed to work wildfires. 

I enjoyed this twelve minute January 2026 video shot from the point of view of a dozer operator. I always learn something from videos like the one I am sharing with you today. Thanks to all wildland firefighters on the ground (on foot or in dozers) and in the air fighting wildfires. Stay safe.

Direct link to January 2026 video from Wildland_Firefighter on YouTube

Friday Fun: SEAT in Action in July 2025 Flying a Fire in Washington State.

As regular followers know, as circumstances allow I do try to share what I consider fun aerial aviation videos on Friday. Fun for me means that I enjoy the video and learn something at the same time. I checked out Simon Butler Aviation on YouTube, a channel I like to check for his good aviation videos, he shares many interesting videos including but not limited to aerial firefighting. So, I checked out his Youtube Channel today and saw this eleven minute video that I am sharing with you today shot by the pilot of single-engine air tanker (SEAT), the pilot shared this video with Simon Butler Aviation. The video was shot somewhere in the vicinity of Deer Park, WA where you will see the SEAT taking off and landing. The SEAT is a scooper, and you will see the SEAT filling their tanks with water in this video. I too love this video, shot by the pilot showing their point of view, as someone who is not a pilot, I always enjoy these pilot's point of view videos. 

A heads up that you will see a couple of "commercial breaks" in the video.  

You may note the mention of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in the description of the video, they do good work and I encourage you to check out their site.

   

  Direct link to January 2026 video from Simon Butler Aviation on YouTube 

Prescribed Burns in Winter in U.S. Forest Service Lands

 

As I write this post I have about 9 inches of snow in my yard from a snowfall on January 25th, others areas in New Jersey and environs got more snow, see this page from the Northeast Regional Climate Center  for more information on this storm.  I am not here to report on the winter weather. I was curious about the effects of winter snowfall on wildfire operations, e.g. what sort of operations can happen on snow covered lands in the winter. I did a brief search on line and found that certain kinds of prescribed burns, known as pile burning are very effective on snow covered lands in US Forest Service lands. During warmer weather when US Forest Service crews engage in fuel reductions by removing larger trees, often those that are dead or in the process of dying as well as removing smaller brush. Large logs can be used as building materials. That leaves smaller limbs and brush. Smaller limbs and brush are gathered in piles that are burned in the winter. Burning these piles in the winter is known as pile burning. See this 2023 document from the U.S. Forest Service for more information  In the short video that I am embedding below, you will learn more about pile burning.

   

Direct link to August 2025 U.S. Forest Service video on YouTube 

Prescribed Burning as Fire and Forest Management in Montana and Maine

In the years that I have been writing this blog I have come to see the important role of prescribed burns. Prescribed burns is not new as indigenous peoples have been conducted what we call prescribed burns for decades.

I am sharing two videos from The Nature Conservancy on prescribed burns. The YouTube channel for The Nature Conservancy may be found here.  While the nuances of prescribed burns in different states and other countries in the world may differ, these two videos helped me to learn more about prescribed burns.

The first video highlights prescribed burning in Montana which I found interested because I recently finished reading Fury of the Beast by Dave Scott where among other things he discusses prescribed burns as a tool for forest management in Montana.

Direct link to July 2021 video by the Nature Conservancy on YouTube

The second video discusses training firefighters in conducting prescribed burns and fire management in Maine As I have spent time in northern New England in years past, I was especially interested in this video.

Direct link to December 2025 video by the Nature Conservancy on YouTube

Friday Fun: Valley Helicopters Flying in British Columbia

From Vertical Magazine, a seven minute 2024 video of a visit by a Vertical Magazine reporter to Valley Helicopters in Hope, British Columbia to look at Valley Helicopters operations and a little of their history and types of helicopters they fly and the types of missions their helicopters fly. 

Direct link to September 2024 video from Vertical Magazine on YouTube.

Deadly Wildfires in Chile

Direct link to January 21st Al Jazeera English video on YouTube

Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page and Mike Archer of Wildfire News of the Day I know about the deadly wildfire season in Chile. According to a January 19th article on Reuters about the wildfires in Chile, at least nineteen people have died and 325 homes have been destroyed in 30 heat and wind driven wildfires and a state of emergency has been declared. Wildfire Today wrote a January 20th post about the wildfires in Chile.

The image below of smoke from wildfires in Chile was captured on January 18, 2026 by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites. Obtained on January 21st from https://www.eumetsat.int/image-week-smoke-chilean-wildfires

Coulson Aviation: Aerial firefighting from start to finish

On  Monday morning on the day we celebrate Martin Luther Kings birthday is the morning after a weekend of two moderate snowfalls here in New Jersey and adjoining states. I suspect but am not quite certain that the snowfall may put a damper on any existing wildfires and perhaps may deter any wildfires from starting? 

I pause on this holiday to share a Facebook video from Coulson Aviation on aerial firefighting from start to finish.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on Facebook

Firefighting Aerial Operations in Florida

Direct link to December 2025 video from Vertical Magazine

For reasons I won't get into here, I have had a special interest in the Florida environment, in particular the Everglades, for over twenty-five years. During a trip to Florida about 12 years ago, I spent a couple of days in and near the Everglades. I can not adequately describe how special it was when I got to visit the Everglades  that I had loved for so long and continue to love. 

Every so often I like to take the opportunity to focus a blog post on wildfires in Florida. In this case it is how State of Florida aerial resources are used to aid wildfire detection, prescribed burning and to assist the wildland firefighters on the ground fight wildfires. In the video that I am sharing the focus is on the Eagle Single helicopter. Their fixed-wing aircraft are the eyes on the sky for the helicopters and the crews on the ground. There are other areas in Florida besides the Everglades where wildfires have burned.

Added on January 23rd, I apologize for the duplicate post of this video. I just realized that I had already shared this video in early December.

Prescribed burns in northern California the week of January 12th

I continue to reflect on what I learned when I read When it All Burns by Jordan Thomas. Mr. Thomas spent some time talking about conducting prescribed burns in California. It has been on my mind to try to keep an eye for information on prescribed burns in California as I read Mike Archer's (of Archer Copywriting) five day a week e-mail, Wildfire News of the Day (link to subscribe to Mr. Archer's newsletter may be found here. Thanks to two recent e-mail newsletters from Wildfire News of the Day, I found two links to prescribed burns in northern California about prescribed burns that were being conducted this week. 

The first link is to Shasta-Trinity National Forest where they are referencing prescribed burns that are happening the week of January 12, 2026. As you can see, there are multiple prescribed burns and they are notifying the public that these areas may be closed and for nearby residents to be aware of smoke emanating from these prescribed burns.

The second link is from KRCR for a January 12, 2026 report on a prescribed burn happening near the area burned by the 2018 Paradise Fire. At least some of these prescribed burns involve burning what they call machine piles (of wood).

2025 U.S.A. Wildfire Season: Summary Figures for Year by Category

I am always interested in knowing the number of wildfire incidents and the like for the past year for the United States. However, I admit that until now I did not know where to look for these figures. I again owe a debt of gratitude to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page who recently shared a graphical file from the Wildfire Lessons Learned Center called "Numbers and Lessons" Collected from 2025 Incident Reports. The Numbers and Lessons file is a summary of 2025 incidents that I think will be replaced later by a complete report for 2025 incidents, go to Annual Incident Review Summaries for more information. Please note that at some point you will not see the 2025 Numbers and Lessons report but will see instead a complete report of 2025 incidents. I do note that with the incident numbers by category (entrapment, UTV, chainsaw cuts, driving related. and hit by tree) that there were only 12 fatalities and six of them were from medical causes.

A very brief introduction to the Helena-Lewis Clark National Forest (Montana) and Fuel Management

I just finished reading Fury and the Beast by Dave Scott where he writes about his 27 year career as a wildland firefighter. For the last few years of his service was a Manager in the Lincoln Ranger District, one of the districts in the Helena-Lewis Clark National Forest. 

Obtained on January 9, 2026 from The Helena-Lewis Clark National Forest

I enjoyed learning about the forests and mountains in western Montana as I read Mr. Scott’s book. He had many pictures and maps in the book which gave me useful visual images about what I was reading. He also spent a lot of time describing the different kinds of prescribed burns in the forests of western Montana. I was very fortunate to find two videos that I am sharing with you below to give you a glimpse into the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest where the Lincoln District is one of the districts. 

The first video that I embed below features a tour of the eastern half of the Helena-Lewis Clark National Forest (  ) from More Than Just Parks. This video is labeled part 1, unfortunately I can not find part 2 perhaps it has not ready for dissemination yet or maybe I was unable to find it on YouTube.

Direct link to September 2023 video from More Than Just Parks on YouTube

In the second and final video, you will learn about a draft 2025 plan for wildfire fuels reduction in the Helena-Lewis Clark National Forest. I do not know if these plans were actually implemented, I hope that these plans were implemented. I liked the video because they talk about risks in the Forest and how fuel management in the Forest can mitigate these risks. Unfortunately I cannot embed the video here, but please go to this link from KPAX-TV (July 2025) to learn about this draft plan