Friday Fun: Chinook Helicopters working wildfires in California

 For today's Friday Fun I offer a five minute 2023 video from Coulson Aviation of their Chinook Helicopters working wildfire in California.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

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.

Three firefighters who died in mid-air crash in Carbazon CA identified

obtained from @CAL_FIRE (X, formerly known as Twitter on Aug 7 at 3 PM

Earlier this morning, I wrote about the mid-air collision of two helicopters early in the evening of August 6, 2023. You may find my earlier post here.

In a recent tweet on X (formerly Twitter), CAL FIRE released the names of the deceased, but you will probably need a Twitter account to see the tweet, CAL FIRE's tweet may be found here. Fortunately, I just saw an article  on CBS Los Angeles identifying the namse of the deceased:

• CAL Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof
• CAL Fire Fire Captain Tim Rodriquez
• Exclusive Use Helicopter Pilot Tony Sousa

I offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families, colleagues, CAL FIRE, friends, and all who loved the deceased. May you rest in peace and always fly in favorable winds.

Three firefighters dead in mid-air collision over Cabazon Fire in Riverside County, CA

I am very saddened to learn of the mid-air collision of two helicopters over the Cabazon Brush Fire in Riverside California early in the evening of August 6th. I learned of this mid-air collision from my friends at NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 who post wildfire videos each day. According to the KCAL News video report that I embedded, three occupants on board a contract Bell Helicopter that was reported to be doing observation over the fire died, names have not been released: CAL Fire Division Chief, CAL Fire Air Captain, and the pilot of the Bell. The other helicopter involved in the mid-air is a Sikorsky SkyCrane that may have been dropping water on the fire, the SkyCrane landed and the two occupants survived. A report from CBS News in Los Angeles (with the video I embedded) may be found here. In addition, you will want to check out Fire Aviation's coverage of the mid-air posted on August 7th.

I offer my prayers to the families, colleagues, friend, CAL Fire, and all who loved those who died in the crash, may they always fly in favorable winds. I also offer my prayers for the two occupants of the Sikorsky SkyCrane who survived the crash.

Direct link to video from KCAL News on YouTube