2020 wildfire season: initial attack on small brush fire in San Diego County CA

 Enjoy this video of two helicopters working a small brush fire in San Diego County California in support of wildland firefighters on the ground. Thanks to their efforts, this November 2020 brush fire was contained about about two acres. This is a fine example of initial attack successfully containing this brush fire at small acreage burned. Thanks to my friends at the NJFFS Section B10's video of the week page who shared this video from Onscene TV about three weeks ago.

Direct link to video from Onscene TV

AgustaWestland 139 - Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department

I have known for awhile that the Los Angeles (California) Fire Department (LAFD) got new helicopters in their multipurpose helicopter fleet. After writing about the Bell 412 helicopters on June 10th, I got interested in the AgustaWestland 139 Helicopters that replaced the older Bell 412 helicopters. Among the first places I went to in order to learn more about LAFD's AgustaWestland 139 helicopters (AW 139) is Bill Gabbert''s Fire Aviation Website where I saw his December 17, 2018 article with a link to Youtube video about the LAFD air operations program that I will link to below, and his February 19, 2020 interview with one of the LAFD pilots, Brandon Pierce, Bill recorded the interview (16 minutes and worth the time). Both articles are good reads.

Direct link to LAFD Air Ops video on Youtube 

I got interested in learning more about this very interesting helicopter with a five blade rotor and advanced avionics in the cockpit. I learned a little from the LAFD Air Ops Webpage:

Its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turbines, together with a state-of-the-art 5-bladed main rotor, deliver a high cruise speed even in demanding conditions at all weights. The pilots also utilize state-of-the-art night vision technology to assist ground operations and enhance safety during nighttime operations. 

 

Leading-edge technology includes a Honeywell Primus Epic fully integrated avionics system, a 4-axis digital AFCS and large flat panel colour displays in the cockpit. As a result of the new design approach the AW139 uses fewer components, benefits from integrated avionics and provides easy accessibility to all systems for simplified maintenance tasks. A 480 gallon water tank is attached to the bottom of the airship.

I wanted to know who manufactured the AW 139 and with the help of another article (June 2017) by Bill Gabbert's Fire Aviation and this article from ASD News, I learned that Leonardo (or predecessors?) manufactured the AW 139, I will leave you to go to Leonardo's site and learn about their company.

I'd like to close with two videos of the LAFD's AW 139's fighting wildfires. With a shout out to a knowledgeable friend and fire aviation photographer local to LA who confirmed that yes, you will see the AW 139 in both videos.

Direct link to video on Youtube

Direct link to video on Youtube

Bell 412 working a forest fire in Spain

I have been catching up on my reading which includes reading aerial wildland firefighting and have read about firefighting helicopters, some of which I have written about recently. One of the mid-sized helicopters that I have read about over the years, and not written about, is the Bell 412. The Bell 412 is mid-sized helicopter with four rotor blades, an off shot of the Bell 212 (two rotor blades). 

Up until 2017, the LA Fire Department had Bell 412's in their fleet. The last of these retired in 2017, replaced by the AgustaWestland 139, go here for more information. The Bell 412 served long and well with the LA Fire Department. In 2019, the Los Angeles County Fire Department still had five Bell 412's in their fleet, see Bill Gabbert's March 9, 2019 Fire Aviation article for more information, Bill interviewed Senior Pilot Tom Short. I am not personally aware of other Bell 412's in service in the United States fighting wildfires but I suspect that there may be others, either from a State, County or City agency, or perhaps on a contract.

Direct link to Youtube Video

There seem to be some Bell 412's in service outside the United States fighting wildfires. Here is a video of a Bell 412 dipping while working a wildfire in Spain last year.

Direct link to video on youtube

Reflections on the Huey Helicopter for wildland firefighting

When I decided to devote this blog to aerial wildland firefightings and related concerns back in January 2009, I began by writing about the UH-1H super Huey helicopters (Bell Helicopters) service for wildland firefighting. I don't quite recall why I started with Huey's. It might of been as simple as my friend aviation historian friend and former airtanker pilot suggesting that I start by writing about Huey helicopters. But I think it is safe to say that I was probably already vaguely familiar with the Huey, if for no reason then I had heard the Huey's were used in Vietnam.

I have seen a couple Huey's up close and personal, two through visit to two airbases of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) who flies two Huey's (Delta 5 and Delta 6) with 300 gallon (approximate) bambi buckets. On a 2011 visit to San Diego, I took a drive to CAL Fire's Ramona air attack base where I was able to get up close with their Huey.

I know from reading Bill Gabbert's Fire Aviation site that CAL FIRE, is in the process of getting new Firehawk helicopters, see for example his October 2019 post on a Firehawk arriving in Sacramento. So it stands to reason that the site of a Huey working a fire in California will be a memory in a couple of years. To the best of my knowledge the NJFFS Hueys are remaining in service. Other states currently have or have had Huey's in service fighting wildfires, such as North Carolina.

Huey's will always be special to me because they were they were the first firefighting aircraft that I wrote about and because I have seen at least three, possibly more up close and personal. There is a certain elegance in watching helicopters work a fire. Because they can go to a water source to dip and fill their buckets they are an important aerial resource to support the wildland firefighters on the ground. They can make quite a number of drops on a fire, and the closer the water sources is to the fire the more drops they can make.

Enjoy these three videos showcasing Huey's working a fire.

North Carolina


Direct link to video


New Jersey


Direct link to video


CAL FIRE (16 minutes)


Direct link to video

Ode to helicopters: dip and drop

Dip and drop,dip and drop, dip and drop. Regular readers will know that I often think about helicopters, in part because of a friend who loved helicopters who died too soon. I think about the helicopters, not only Hueys but other similarly sized helicopters, that carry 500 gallon buckets. Many states have type 2 helicopters, perhaps under the Federal Excess Personal Property Program and Firefighter Property Program. Some of these helicopters might be smaller helicopters that are mainly used for observation, others might carry a 500 gallon bucket. Some firefighting helicopters use a tube that hangs from their belly to fill their tanks. However, my thoughts turn to these state helicopters with 300 to 500 gallon buckets, and the important work they can do helping wildland firefighters on the ground. Dip and drop, dip and drop, dip and drop. And on it goes. Dip and drop, dip and drop.

A water source close to the wildfire is very helpful, sometimes the water sources may be a small pond in a golf course or even a swimming pool. A helo dipping at a water body provides photo opportunities, but their work is so much more. These water sources for dipping, especially if they are close can mean that the helos and buckets can do a lot of drops. These drops can be an important part of initial attack. The helo crews communicate with the crews on the ground so they know where the drop is needed, and of course there is the skill of the pilots to know how to drop so the water/foam ends up at just the right spot. Perhaps the supervisor of a crew will ask for a drop where they are working, you will fly there and make the drop. Dip and drop, dip and drop.

I am not quite sure of the size of the bucket, 500 gallon or smaller,  in the video below, but that doesn't really matter as she and her pilot did good work to help the crews on the ground in Hawaii put out a grass fire.


Direct link to video

I don’t want to forget the National Guard or Air Force Reserve helicopters, often Blackhawks that have a larger bucket. Dip and drop, dip and drop, dip and drop. Your larger bucket means more water/foam on the fire. Whether you are called up to help out with a larger wildfire or perhaps work a smaller wildfire where there are not enough existing resources, your service is appreciated. Like your smaller cousins, your crew communicates with the wildland firefighters on the ground so you know where your drop is needed. Dip and drop, dip and drop.


Direct link to video

To the helos with buckets and their crew, I want you to know that I know you are there, no matter where you are flying. I know that you are there all the times that there may be no cameras recording your operations. The crews on the ground and those living near the wildfire appreciate you and so do I. Thank-you for your service. Your work can be dangerous and I know your pilots take precautions to stay safe.

Dip and drop, dip and drop, dip and drop

Time for some helos, May 2019 edition

Every so often I like to share videos of helicopters used to fight wildfires. I have always liked watching helicopters, whether it be through a video or the times I have seen and heard one flying over head. Once in awhile I have seen one from the right seat of a Cessna 172 while on a scenic ride. I saw a CH-47 once about four years ago that was about 1 to 2 miles away crossing in front of us. That was pretty cool, but in the pbotograph I took it was smaller than the size of my fist. Oh well.

About five years ago, my good friend Matt died too young. Matt loved helicopters and was quite knowledgeable. We had fun talking helos. He had model helos that he used with his young sons.

Matt, I share this videos today in your memory. I know that you are flying in favorable tail winds.

Enjoy!

Bambi Buckets

Direct link to video

Bell 212

Direct link to video

NJ Forest Fire Service Takeoff, Augusta NJ Airshow

Direct link to video

From 2017: footage of NJFFS helicopter working a wildfire

I came across the video last week thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 webpage who posted it last week on their video of the week page (videos changed weekly). It is possible that this video is one that I have shared before, if so it is worth a second viewing.

You will see about five minutes of footage of a New Jersey Forest Fire Service helicopter and bucket working an April 2017 wildfire in Ramapo Reservation in northern Bergen County, NJ.



direct link to video from Mahwah Fire Rescue

A Helo working fires in Saskatchewan (2015)

Some of you may have noticed that every so often I embed a video highlighting helicopters working wildfires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. And when I do so, I share the video in memory of my friend Matt, who is now flying in favorable tail winds. Matt was not a pilot but he was a fan of anything to do with helicopters and we had a lot of fun talking about helos. So Matt, this video below, of a 206 Long Ranger LII fighting wildfires in Saskatchewan is for you.


Direct link to video from Martin Camirand

Thanks to US Navy "Black Jacks" HSC Sea Hawks for helping with San Diego County Wildfires

It was not only the Marines who sent helicopters to help out with the recent wildfires that burned in San Diego County, California. At least one Sea Hawk Helicopter from the "Black Jacks" of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 based in San Diego.

In this video, just under nine minutes, you will see an MH-60s Sea Hawk Helicopter assigned to the "Black Jacks" working the wildfire. I like the video because I get to see the crew loading the helicopter, attaching the bucket, dipping, and then dropping. There is also some nice footage shot from behind the two pilots looking out front as they lift off.

Thank-you "Black Jacks"

Thanks to the Marines for helping with the Lilac Fire (San Diego County, CA)

I knew from media reports that the Marines from Camp Pendleton, CA helped with the Lilac Fire that burned 4,100 acres (95 percent containment) in San Diego County, CA. I went looking for some videos to share with you from DVIDS, Defense Video Imagery Distribution Systems. I was in luck because I was quickly directed to a page devoted to Marine Corps Support to California Fire.

The three short videos that I am embedding below feature the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA 267), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They supplied two UH-1Y Venom with 320 gallon buckets. All the videos are dated December 8, 2017.

Thank-you Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA 267)!!

In the first video you will hear how the Marines were helping CAL FIRE, video by Lance Cpl. Dylan Chagnon.


Direct link to video with description of video

This short video shows some images of the two UH-1Y Venom along with images shot over the fire, video by Sgt. David Bickel


Direct link to video with description of video


Finally, this last video shows one of the UH-1Y Venom's dipping, video by Cpl. Sarah Ralph.


Direct link to video with description of video

Time for some helos fighting wildfires

Time for some more footage of helos working wildfires in support of the firefighters on the ground.

From New South Wales, Australia (uploaded Jan 26,2017)


Direct link to video

From South Africa, I think (uploaded January 6, 2017)


Direct link to video

From Kentucky (from November 2016)


Direct link to video

CAL FIRE Super Huey - Helitack 106 in action

I found this great 16 minute video today from W Colby showing a CAL FIRE Super Huey, Helitack 106, in action. The video was uploaded in August, 2015. There are some great close-up shots. Talk about up close and personal!

Direct link to video from W Colby on Youtube.

A look at the Maine Forest Rangers Helicopters

Continuing with the wildfire season in New England, here is an excellent video from WLBZ 2 in Bangor Maine. This is a video segment from Bill Green’s Maine focusing on the helicopters that the Maine Forest Rangers use to help ground crews fight wildfires in Maine. They have six Hueys with buckets. I know enough about Maine to know that there are vast stretches of forested areas in Maine and I for one am glad that the helos are there to help the ground crews. The Chief Ranger Pilot, John Crowley provides an excellent discussion on the use of helos in Maine as well as how the bucket works. I was especially interested in Mr. Crowley’s description of how the bucket works, something I have not heard described all that often. Please go to the link and llow about six minutes to watch this great video. Enjoy.

Direct link to WCSH6 Portland ME (Bill Green’s Maine)

The Maine Forest Rangers, a division of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has a freely available Facebook page (you don’t need an account) that may be found here.

Note added on May 20, 2015: When I first wrote this post, I embedded a great video from WCSH6 in Maine (Bill Green's Maine) about how the Maine Forest Rangers use helicopters to fight wildfires. The embed code was set so that, depending on your browser settings, the video might play automaticially. Because I thought that autoplaying a six minute video might detract from your experience in enjoying this blog, in particular upcoming videos, I have deleted the embed code. But the above link should still work, and I encourge you to go to the link and watch this six minute video.

Twin Falls (Idaho) Helitack

While I am supposed to be doing some reading for an upcoming article I did what I sometimes do and went on Youtube in search of interesting videos. I found myself thinking about helos, perhaps because of my friend Matt who recently passed who loved helicopters (go here). I started out with a video that a friend of mine sent me of helos dipping. Youtube displays related videos on the right side of the page, and I eventually ended up watching a great 13 minute video highlighting the Twin Falls Helitack crew's 2013 season. The video was uploaded by Dave Frey with the whole crew contributing footage.

I love this video because it gave me some insight into what life is like on a helitack crew. As I understand it, the Twin Falls Helitack crew's, based in southern Idaho, primary mission is to do initial attack using a type II helicopter. When the helitack crew is dispatched to a fire, they load up their gear in the helo and fly to the fire where work the wildfire on the ground. They have a nice webpage (here) where you can go to learn more about the structure of the crew, and crew duties, and requirements to be on the helitack crew. 

You will see some footage of the helitack crew on the ground working fires. From time to time you will see shots that were probably taken by one of the helitack crew members of a tanker dropping retardant or a helo dropping on the fire. I like images such as these because I can see what aerial firefighting is all about, supporting the crews on the ground. 

direct link to video on youtube

helo footage at Owassa Fire

This is some nice footage of the Delta 6, the NJ Forest Fire Service UH-1H (Huey) helicopter with a 300-gallon bucket working the Owassa Fire.

underneath H-301

Thanks to TL Stein and a friend from Ryan AAB, I have the following description of what is underneath H-301:

We start at the top of the image. On either side, you can see the floor windows and the observation mirrors that look back at the tank and snorkel, and the PA - Siren speakers.  On the far left, just below the step, is the filler coupling where the tank is refilled on the ground using either a fire truck or a hydrant should there be no water sources to snorkle from.  On the outsides of the tank, just inside the skid supports, are the hydraulic actuators that open and close the tank doors.  Inside the triangle looking fixtures, are where the pivot arms attach to both the actuators and tank door gear box. You'll notice that one tank door is open, this is to keep the inside of the tank dry when not in use.  In the center of the tank, you can see the fittings and snorkel hose as it's folded back under the helicopter. The two smaller black hoses are the hydraulic lines that power the pump on the end of the snorkel. The hydraulic power is provided by a small unit that is mounted inside the crew area, behind the pilot and co-pilot.  The item hanging down (painted red) that looks like it has a golf ball on the end of it, is part of the WSPS (Wire Strike Protection System).  There is a WSPS installed on the top as well.  It's purpose is to cut any power line or cable that the aircraft may accidentally fly into.  Also, you can see a small cable that exits the aircraft and angles down to the tank (starts at the top of the "3".  This is the manual emergency release for the tank, in the event of a hydraulic failure.  All the pilot needs to do in this event, is pull a T-handle on the floor of the cockpit and it open both doors, dropping all the contents of the tank.  Usually, in the event of a failure, the doors can only be closed on the ground so in typical operation, the tank would be removed and a bucket will be used.

For more information about the WSPS go here. This page includes information about the WSPS along with other flight performace issues of helicopters. You will need to do some scrolling to get to the section on the WSPS.

Thanks to my friend at Ryan, I have some clarification on if H-301 can be used for bucket operations. The answer is that if the fixed tank is not operational for some reason, the fixed tank can be removed and a 324 gallon bambi bucket can then be used.

Correction: H-301 tank size

I have a minor correction. The fixed tank on H-301 is 360 gallons, not 325 gallons. I believe that the buckets on CALFIRE helicopters have a capacity of around 325 gallons. I have updateded yesterdays post to reflect the correct fixed tank size on H-301.

Thanks to my friend at Ryan for pointing this out.

CAL FIRE's helitack

I'd like to thank TL Stein for a photo of one of CAL FIRE's helitack helicopters, H-301, based at Hemet-Ryan Helitack Base. CAL FIRE has a fleet of nine helicopters positioned around the state, in addition, I think that they also have a couple that are maintained as emergency aircraft.

I believe that two CAL FIRE helicopters have belly tanks. One of the copters with a belly tank is H-301 and the other is based at Bear Valley. My friend at Ryan tells me that H-301 has a 360 gallon fixed tank on its belly. I don't know if the copter at Bear Valley has a 360 gallon tank. I am pretty certain that both H-301 and the copter at Bear Valley have foam tanks for class A foam.

Go here for a pictorial overview of Ryan's helitack operations, take time to check out the links! I will be writing in some more detail about helitack operations in a couple of weeks.

Note: I revised and corrected this post. I had misidentified H-301 as a helitanker. It is not a helitanker. Helitankers are heavy, large helicopters such as the Erickson Aircrane that I will be writing about next week.

San Diego County CA Copter 12

A while back, I found the above video on youtube, shot from the cockpit of San Diego County's Copter 12. It is an awesome video, with some great fire shots. hwyted posted the video and he has several others posted on youtube. If you are interested in shots from firefighting helicopters, check out his other videos. For some more information on copter 12, a Bell Huey 205 A1++, go this webpage where there is brief description of all aircraft used by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

These aircraft are ASTREA (Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies) aircraft. ASTREA has a nice photo gallery with photos of copter 12 and other helicopters. Copter 12 can be identified by the "12" on its front end.

Another photo gallery of ASTREA helicopters may be found here, on the webpage of the Aerial Law Enforcement Association.

Copter 12 and it's sister, copter 10 have 375 gallon fixed tanks on their bellies and are also known as helitankers. Helitankers fill up their belly tanks by hovering over a body water, using a long tube, called a snorkle that takes water into the tank. If you watch the video above, you will see some footage of another helitanker refilling its tanks. Look at the pictures on the photo galleries and you will see some pictures of copter 12 flying with its snorkle tube hanging from its belly.

If you are so inclined, you may find aircraft certification for copter 12 (N107BZ) here.

Huey's: part 2

In earlier posts I have written that Huey’s (and similar classes of helicopters) are used for water drops on wildfires and transporting wildland firefighters to remote or inaccessible areas to fight wildfires. To answer the question of how Huey’s may be used by wildland firefighters, I offer links to two webpages, California and Florida.

A word about California’s state fire agency, CAL Fire. CAL fire is what is known as an all risk fire department. I recently had the opportunity to ask a CAL fire employee what an all risk fire department is. He said:

An all risk fire department means that whatever type of an incident there is, CAL Fire is trained to handle it. Schedule A stations are counties in california that have contracted the state to handle there fire protection services so they are county employees but CAL FIRE trained. Schedule B are the Wildland guys. There primary concern is for wildland fires but can still go on house fires traffic accidents medical aides any emergency that may pop up.

The reason why I am mentioning the all risk aspect of CAL Fire is because CAL Fire Huey’s are used for non-fire emergency missions. You will note the mention of the non-fire emergency use of Huey’s when you go here to read about the CAL Fire Huey’s (loaned to CAL Fire through FEPP). This pdf file also has some specs for their Huey’s. Note that you will need adobe acrobat or some other pdf viewer in order to read this file.

Speaking about my own State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is available to respond to non-fire missions. For example, they helped with some tree work in the aftermath of a recent ice storm that left thousands of homes with out power in Sussex County New Jersey. I suspect that the NJFFS would make their Huey’s available to respond to non-fire emergencies as appropriate.

In my wonderings on the internet learning about and researching wildfires, I always find myself looking to say what is happening in Florida. I recently did a search and found a short description (and a couple of pictures) of how the Florida Dept. of Forestry uses aircraft on this page. They refer to aerial ignition, you may go here to find a brief definition (just scroll down and you will see the definition. I believe but am not sure that aerial ignition can be used in both prescribed burns and in fighting wildland fires. I'll try to find out some more specifics about aerial ignition and make a post about it.

In the meantime, I'll write about bambi buckets in a day or so.