Neptune to acquire 11 BAe-146 jet aircraft

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported yesterday that Neptune Aviation is going to acquire 11 more BAe-146 aircraft for conversion to tankers and is planning to retire all the P2V from fire fighting by 2021. Bill has included a copy of Neptune's press release announcing same in his article.

Michael Archer of the Firebomber Publications Blog included an article reporting on Neptune's plans to acquire additional BAe-146 jet aircraft on April 21.

DC-10 Tanker

A great 3 minute video of one of the DC-10 tankers, including some views from inside the cockpit. The video is from the AOPA, they had an article in the May 2012 AOPA Pilot magazine. Since they offer embed code in the video, I am assuming that those of you who are not AOPA members will be able to see the video. There are two DC-10 tankers. I don't believe that either is on an exclusive-use contract with the USFS. I believe that they should be. December 8, 2014: The link for the video that I originially shared here no longer works, so I removed the inactive link. I just found another link to a video from AOPA Live, that may be the same or similar to the video that I first shared that I am embeddeding above, the direct link to the video on youtube may be found here.

Neptune P2V declares emergency with safe landing

I don't know much detail yet, The Missoulian and Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today are reporting that one of Neptune's P2V tanker declared an emergency and made a safe landing at Missoula. Early reports are that they may have suffered a hydraulic failure. Updated April 25, 7 AM EDT. The P2V was a training aircraft and was not used to fly fires.

Fire, rain, and initial attack in NJ

Last week, the two Air Tractor 602's on contract with the NJ Forest Fire Service, Bravo 1 (through May 6) and Charlie 1 (through May 7) continued to fly initial attack on smaller fires. According to my friends at My friends at Downstown Aero, most of these smaller fires required only one drop, but one or maybe required two drops.

 I did read about one six-acre fire in Howell Township (NJFFS Division B Section 8) on the NJFFS Section B10 website where Bravo 1 was reported to make multiple drops. Another fire where SEAT and NJFFS firefighters worked together to contain a fire but it could grow larger and get out of control.

Of course, Bravo 1 and Charlie 1 have been flying initial attack since they went on contract in late March. One or both worked larger fires as well such as two fires that I wrote here and here. And all this while there counterparts in Division A, Alpha 2 and Alpha 3 (Ag Cats) were flying initial attack in Division A (northern NJ).

There was a very nice article by Star Ledger Columnist Mark Di Ionno, After extremely dry spring, fire in Pine Barrens is inevitable truth in the Sunday (April 22, 2012) Star Ledger. The focus of the article is about the dry conditions in NJ and the high fire danger: The fire is coming. It’s not a matter of "if" but "when." This weekend’s forecasted rain may delay it, but the water will run quickly through the soil, and the Pine Barrens will dry out again underfoot in just a few days, or even hours if temperatures spike again. And, eventually, there will be a fire. In addition will learn more about the fire ecology of the Nj Pine Barrens and a little about the NJ Forest Fire Service with 80 full time and 1,200 part-time firefighters. Di Inno's article includes a great photo gallery by photographer Andrew Mills. It is worth checking out for the pictures of the site of a recent fire, one of the NJFFS towers, NJFFS engines, and Bravo 1 (Air Tractor 602).

Thanks to some rain that we had yesterday (April 22) as well as snow in western PA -- go here and here to read about rain and snow in western PA -- the fire danger is less than it was. But a return to higher temperatures and dry weather will change that.

Thanks to Firebomber Publications Blog for April 23, 2012 for references to the articles that I mentioned here. In addition, while I read the NJ article in my local paper yesterday, I'd like to thank a friend of mine who sent me the link.

Good-bye Alpha 2 (Grumman Ag-Cat)

My friends at Downstown told me this morning that Alpha 2 is off contract and back at Downstown. She has been flying on contract in NJ Forest Fire Service Division A (northern NJ) since March 19.

Alpha 2, I don't know how many times you flew initial attack on a fire, arriving at a small fire and making one or maybe two drops. The fire may have been under acre. Your drops in support of the NJ Forest Fire Service firefighters (NJFFS) were crucial in bring these fires under control in a short amount of time. Initial attack on a small fire, contained at a smaller size before it could grow larger and get out of control. It doesn't matter that I don't know how often you flew initial attack. What matters is that I knew you were there, for I live in Division A.

For two weeks, from April 7 to April 20, you were joined by another Ag-Cat at your base at Andover-Aeroflex. During a very dry period with numerous Red Flag Warnings with lots of wildfires, I felt a lot safer and a little less scared knowing that the two of you were there, ready to go fly initial attack to help the NJFFS firefighters.

Alpha 2, both you and Alpha 3 made multiple drops on the fire at Picatinny Arsenal, making drops where it was not safe for wildland firefighters on the ground to go because of the danger of unexploded munitions. Both of you made a huge difference in helping the wildland firefighters on the ground contain that fire in less than a day.

Now you are gone, back to Downstown. And we have Alpha-3 for one more week here in Division A. Alpha 2, I will miss you. Alpha-2's pilot, I will miss you also. For you and Alpha 2 are as one, flying initial attack. One needs the other. Thank-you.

Good-bye. You will soon be off to new adventures doing agricultural operations. Stay safe.

MA wildfire (under control)

I have deep ties to Massachusetts and I know that they too have had a busy spring wildfire season, just as we have in NJ and environs.

The 30-acre wildfire in the video that I embedded here was in Lee MA (in the western part of state)was contained last night. The fire started when a permitted brush-burn got out of control threatening some electric transmission lines and making nearby residents a tad nervous.
For more information including a short slide show, a map, and more on the fire go read this article from the Berkshire Eagle.

This one wildfire in Lee is probably a drop in the bucket when you consider all the wildfire activity that must of happened in MA and the rest of New England during this very active spring wildfire season. 

Rich Hole Wildfire VA (2012

The fire you are seeing in the video is a part of the Easter Complex Wildfire in VA that has burned over 35,000 acres and is at 80% containment at the time I am writing this. Go to this inciweb report for more information.

Picatinny Arsenal (NJ) Wildfire contained

In the last paragraph of the post I made yesterday, I reported on a wildfire that was burning at the Picatinny Arsenal in northern New Jersey. The Picatinny Arsenal is a federal facility, and when the folk at Picatinny discovered the fire they called in the NJ Forest Fire Service. I was not quite sure if one or both of the NJFFS SEATs (AGCats) based in northern NJ, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 were used on yesterday's fire. I have since been in contact with my friend at Downstown Aero asking how if one or both AgCats made drops on he fire. The answer is that both Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 made multiple drops on the fire. At the time of this writing, the folk at the NJFFS Section B-10 webpage have a picture posted from the Picatinny Fire showing a helo with a bucket, confirming reports I heard that one of the NJFFS helos was making bucket drops on the fire. According to this final sitrep on the fire from this post in the wildland fire hotlist thread on the fire, the fire was mapped at 35 acres last night, and was contained at 8 PM (20:00) EDT last night (April 16). The complete initial attack thread from the wildlandfire hotlist, including the final sitrep referenced above may be found here.

For more information on this fire you might want to read a report on
NJ.com (April 16), also referenced in the wildland fire hotlist initial attack on the fire.

Listening to NJFFS scanner online and SEAT operations

I spent some time last week listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), Division B radio scanners, available online through Radio Reference. As I understand it, the NJFFS Div B scanner feed through Radio Reference covers all or most of NJFFS Division B (Central NJ) and some frequencies in NJFFS (Division A) including some of the frequencies used in air to ground communications. Go here to see a map of the three divisions in NJ as used by the NJFFS.

While I would hardly consider myself an expert at listening to scanner, I found that I was able to pick more than I did when I first started listening to the scanner feed a year or so ago. As I understand it, many first reports of smoke come from one of the NJFFS fire towers. I have an idea about Division A fire towers v Division B fire towers, and when I am uncertain I have a list I can consult. So, assuming that the smoke is indeed located in the same Division as the reporting fire tower then I know if the fire is in Division A or B. Of course, there are times when the smoke is outside the Division, as was the case one day last week when I may  have heard a fire tower report a smoke somewhere in Pennsylvania with a discussion about where in PA the smoke might be. It stands to reason that the NJFFS will notify the appropriate agency in PA to report the smoke. With this in mind, it also stands to reason that a given NJFFS tower may be able to see a smoke in another Division.

In Division A, I am more familiar with the geography, so a might have an idea of where the smoke and/or fire being discussed is located. I continue listening and will hear ground resources (NJFFS engines manned by firefighters) are deployed to the fire. Engines assigned to Division A start with the letter "A" and so forth.

Last Friday afternoon, I was listening to the scanner about fire activity in Division A. I knew this because I recognized the location of a fire tower and recognizing some of the towns and nearby roads. At some point I heard references to airplanes, followed by what I thought were two unmistakeable references.

The first was referring to Alpha-2 being loaded and on the ramp (Grumman AgCat biplane currently assigned to the NJFFS Air Attack Base at Aeroflex-Andover (Sussex County, NJ). A short time later, I heard

"Alpha-2 is launched."

At the same time, there were references to Alpha-3 (2nd Grumman AgCat), but the specifics of the Alpha-3 reference was not clear to me. That happens to me sometimes when I am listening the online scanners.

As I sometimes do after or while listening to the online scanner, After listening to the references about some smoke and/or wildfires I went to the media to see if any media were reporting on wildfires in Division A. I continued to do so through out that evening and so no reports.

I did want to write this article about listening to the NJFFS Division B scanner online, but first I wanted to confirm that I did indeed hear correctly, that Alpha 2 was launched on Friday afternoon, and find out whether or not she did indeed make a drop on a fire. So, over the weekend, I sent an e-mail to my friend at Downstown Aero who confirmed that Alpha 2 made one drop on a small fire in Division A Friday afternoon. Alpha-3 was launched but did make a drop.

As I went to post this and was checking out my links, I see that there is 50-acre fire at the Picitinny Arsenal in northern NJ, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 are reported to by flying that fire. I'd like to thank the NJFFS Section B-10 website for this report. As I was using my internet connection most of the afternoon to update the software on one of my computers, I was unable to listen to the NJFFS Div B online scanner feed.

NJ SEATs in action and Thank-you!

Earlier this week, one of the fires I wrote about in post on April 10,where I wrote about recent wildfire activity in NJ and NY, was a 20-acre wildfire in Barnegat NJ. Speaking of this fire in an article posted after the fire was contained The Asbury Park Press had this to say:

A potentially disastrous combination — dense suburban development, tinder-dry Pine Barrens terrain and gusty winds — was defused Tuesday by firefighters’ rapid response to a brush fire on Barnegat Boulevard.

The fire scorched 20 acres, but firefighters prevented any property damage, even as the flames raced a few hundred feet across the road from the Atlantic Heights town home community.

An important contribution to the efforts of NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) wildland fire fighters and any municipal firefighters on the ground are aerial resources. The Barnegat fire is a case in point. Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602) made one drop on the Barnegat fire. One drop doesn't sound like much, but it is huge. One drop in what was probably a crucial location(s) may have been an important factor in containing this fire before homes were damaged on a day when Red Flag Warnings were up and there were high winds. Bravo-1 and firefighters on the ground doing what they do best, doing it together -- knocking down a wildfire before it damaged homes and businesses. Before it got out of control.

I understand from my friends at Downstown Aero that both Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602) and Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) worked several smaller fires earlier this week. I don't know any details, that isn't important. What is important is that these magnificent single engine airtankers (SEATs) flew a number of fires on initial attack in support of firefighters on the ground. SEATs and firefighters on the ground doing what they best, doing it together -- knocking down a wildfire before it damaged homes and businesses. Before it got out of control.

I know less of what Alpha-2 and Alpha-3 (both are Grumman AgCat Biplanes) did earlier in the week. But what I know or don't know doesn't really matter. Whether on stand-by ready to go on 10 to 15 minutes notice to fly a fire, or whether they flew fires, this resident of NJFFS Division A is so very glad that you are here. It was a little scary earlier this week, I was less scared knowing that you were here. I know that both of you were ready to go and help with the fire in NJ Meadowlands near Carlsdadt the other day. That wasn't necessary because the fire was burning towards water. But you were ready to help, that is what is important.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the SEAT pilots, support crews on the ground for all that you have done, are doing, and will do in the future to help the firefighters on the ground. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.

Alpha-3, we only have you for another eight days. Alpha-2, Bravo-1, and Charlie-2 are around for two or three more weeks (see the side bar at the right for the schedule).

Wildfire in Berks County PA

I've seen references to this fire for the last couple of days on some of the daily reports on the intelligence page of the Eastern Area Coordination Center. For example this mornings "managers briefing" reported: start date: April 9 Name: Hopewell Agency: PAS Number: PA-PAS-17120144 Acres: 400 Location: French Creek SP, Elverson PA % contained: 80 I am not all that far from PA, and want to let all of my friends in PA know that I care about what is happening in their state. So, I was somewhat alarmed when I saw reference to this article in today's post on the Firebomber Publications Blog about the fire, saying that the fire had grown to 619 acres. Pennsylvania is a large state, with many forests. I suspect that their firefighters have been busy with numerous wildfires just like we have in NJ.

Status of some of the recent wildfires in NJ/NY

Some updates on recent wildfire activity in NY and NJ that I have written about recently. The wildfire in the Meadowlands near Carlsdadt, NJ that I wrote about yesterday has been contained, see a report from NBC4 in NYC for more information. Burnout operations were done by the NJ Forest Fire Service, see this initial attack thread from the wildland fire hotlist where the acreage burned is reported at 300 acres.

The fire that I reported in Harriman State Park on April 10 is contained, see FoxNewsNY.

On April 10, I also reported on a wildfire in Manorville Fire (Long Island). That wildfire burned 1,124 acres. Manorville Fire Department Chief told Newsday on Wed. April 11 that the fire is out. See this report from Newsday. (Note unsure how long this link is publicly available).

Finally, a fire that was first reported on April 10 in wood compost pile in the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, NY continues to be monitored, see Staten Island Live for more information.

Brush fire in NJ Meadowlands

I intended to write about yesterday's wildfire activities, updating containment information as well as mentioning how NJFFS contract fixed-wings were used. Instead, I am posting about a brush fire in the NJ meadowlands not far from the Football stadium where the Giants and the Jets play and adjoining the NJ Turnpike in Bergen County. I think, but am not certain that this is outside the primary response area of the NJ Forest Fire Service. So the first responders will be local fire departments. I am going to go and watch my local news for updates and will follow-up later tonight with more information. I can say that having lived near the Meadowlands for many years, that brush fires are not uncommon. Links: NJ dot com photo gallery from ABC7 in NYC  

Update 5:45 PM on April 11, 2012 There is a nice report on the fire by The Record - North Jersey dot com with a map, some more pictures, and the video that I embedded below. They are reporting that about 60 acres have burned. The Record - North Jersey dot com talked to Tom Savia, battalion chief for the Carlstadt Fire Department:

Tom Savia, battalion chief for the Carlstadt Fire Department, said up to 60 acres of meadowlands were on fire and the wind was "killing us" in making the fire spread. Savia said firefighters could not attack the flames in the middle of the marshlands because of the dangerous conditions there and would have to let the flames proceed to the edge of the site. He said firefighters should have control of the situation Wednesday evening.

 updated on July 18, 2013: videos that I had embedded here are no longer available. :-(

Wildfire news from NJ and NY metro

Yesterday, I wrote about the South Park Fire in Burlington County, see this summary, I knew that it was being reported by various sources as being at 75% contained earlier today. I just found out that it is being reported that the fire is 100% contained at about 1,000 acres. Crews will continue to work the fire, monitoring for hot spots. Go here to see a sitrep on the fire.The Press of Atlantic City reports on this fire along with a 20-acre wildfire earlier today in Barnegat, NJ (Ocean County). The Asbury Park Press reports that the Barnegat Fire is 100% contained.

Some of you may have heard about a wildfire on the east end of Long Island in the news. That fire has burned over 1,000 acres and it is reported as being largely contained. I believe that four structures were destroyed in the blaze and three firefighters received minor injuries. See this report from NBC4 in NYC (and links to videos).

Also in NY, yesterday were the first reports of a brush fire burning in the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, NYC. Specifically, the fire is burning in a large wood debris pile. Officials say that it could be another couple of days before the fire is brought under control. For more information, there is a report on Staten Island Live.

Today while I was driving around town listening to one of NYC's news radio stations, I heard a report that there was a wildfire burning in Harriman State Park, north of NYC. Here is a short report on this wildfire from the Pleasantville-Braircliff Patch, and a second report from North Jersey dot com.

I spent a good bit of yesterday listening to the scanner for Division B of the NJ Forest Fire Service. In fact, I am listening as I write this. I heard of several reports of wildfires in Division A (north Jersey) and Division B (central Jersey). The scanner does not pick up Division C (south Jersey. For a report on yesterdays wildfire activity in northern and central Jersey see this Star Ledger article. I was listening to the scanner yesterday when I heard the first reports of what is now a 200 to 300 acre burning on the ground of Ft. Dix that has some containment as of earlier this morning.

I suspect that one of the fires that I heard being discussed on the scanner earlier today was a 20-acre wildfire in Barnegat NJ (Ocean County).  Both the Press of Atlantic City and the Asbury Park Press report that the Barnegat Fire is 100% contained. Just now I am hearing reports of what may be a new wildfire of unknown size, with NJFFS crews on route. Nice job everyone one!

The NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 website mentioned this fire (see below for the link), These are just some highlights of some wildfires that I have heard about today, and is not meant to be an all inclusive list. The NJFFS Section B10 webpage reports on some of the recent wildfires in NJ and currently has a large fire page.

Last but by no means least, I just saw Bill Gabbert's report on east coast fires in this article. He reports on some of the same fires I touched on here -- South Park Fire, Ft. Dix, Long Island -- as well as other wildfires on the east coast. Thanks Bill!

updated on July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

South Park Fire summary

I have been writing about the South Park Fire that is still burning near Tabernacle NJ in the Pine Barrens in Burlington County. I have nothing new to report, but thought I'd summarize what I reported in update # 2. At a minimum, the fire has burned about 600 acres and may have burned 1,000 acres. Twenty-five structures are or were threatened. I do not know of any mandatory evacuations, but there have been some reports of voluntary evacuations. Media reports indicate that containment is at at least 30% and may up to 50% containment.

I just talked to my friends at Downstown Aero who tell me that Charlie-1 was released from the South Park Fire, back to Downstown, at about 2:30 PM. Charlie-1 has flown a few smaller fires in Division C this afternoon. Bravo-1 is back on standby at Coyle. He also told me that in addition to the observation helo, they had one Huey with bucket working the South Fork Fire. Finally, Alpha-2 and Alpha-3, the two Grumman (biplane) Ag Cats on duty at Andover-Aeroflex were grounded due to the winds.

I am reposting some photos that my friends at Downstown Aero sent earlier today. These were taken from Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) about 7 AM this morning. They are posted below with the permission of Downstown Aero Crop Services.

updated on July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

Two Philadelphia structure firefighters dead

Yesterday and today have been bad days for both structure and wildfires in NJ/PA/NY and probably elsewhere. There have been numerous wildfires and structure files in NJ, eastern PA, Staten Island in NYC, Long Island and elsewhere.

Two structure firefighters died fighting a fire in a furniture store adjacent to an abandoned warehouse in Kensington, PA, see this report from MyFoxPhilly: Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, both assigned to Ladder 10 on the C platoon. My condolences go out to their family, friends, colleagues and those who loved them.

South Park Fire (Burlington Cnty NJ): update 2

I believe that the fire currently involves about 600 acres and is at 30 to 50% containment, see the Asbury Park Press and the Courier Post articles below. At this point, it is hoped that the fire can be contained at about 1,000 acres. The video that I embedded above of the South Park Fire is from the The Courier Post Online. Twenty-five houses are threatened. The Atlantic City Press is reporting that voluntary evacuations are in place, and I also heard these voluntary evacuations mentioned on a local noon broadcast (no link available), neither place said that the evacuations were mandatory.

The Asbury Park Press is reporting that evacuations are not in place for this six hundred acre fire, perhaps the Asbury Park Press is saying that mandatory evacuations have not been ordered. In addition, the Asbury Park Press is reporting that the investigators believe that the fire may have been "intentionally set." The Asbury Park Press article may be found here and includes a map of the fire area including the location of the command post and helipad.

Wildlandfire dot com has started an initial attack thread on the South Park Fire on their hotlist forums that may be found here.

My friends at Downstown Aero sent me three pictures taken from Charlie-1 (Air Tractor 602) about 7 AM this morning. They are posted below with the permission of Downstown Aero Crop Services. As of a couple of hours ago, both Bravo-1 and Charlie-1 (both are Air Tractor 602's) were working spot fires at the South Park Fire.

South Park Fire (Burlington Cnty NJ): update 1 and video

Winds Fueling Brush Fire In Tabernacle: MyFoxPHILLY.com

Here is a video report on the South Park Fire from MyFoxPhilly. My friends at Downstown Aero tell me that there is an observation helo (Delta 2) flying. One Air Tractor 602, Charlie-1, made a drop around 7 AM this morning. Last I heard is that Charlie-1 is at Coyle Field on standby with Bravo-1 (Air Tractor 602). As I understand it, air ops may stop when the winds reach 40 mph.

South Park Fire- 500-1,000 acres - Burlington Cnty NJ

This just in. There is a major fire burning near Tabernacle/Woodland Twshp NJ. The fire was reported around 4 AM with early reports of 500 acres. A report at 7 AM from the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 has the fire at 1,000 acres with homes threatened. Air support is supposed to start at dawn, but high winds could ground aircraft. Here is an early report on the fire from ABC6 in Philadelphia, and a slightly later report from Fox29 in Philadelphia. There is a Red Flag Warning out for today with winds that could gust as high as 45 mph. I'll follow the fire as best I can and will provide updates later.

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: final update

Yesterday I reported here and here on what turned out to be two wildfires, one small and one large, in a wildlife management area in Camden County, NJ. First, a correction to yesterday's first article. There were two helos on the fire, one was doing observations and the second did have a bucket. I don't know how long the Air Tractor 602, Charlie-1 worked the fire, but based on what my friends at Downstown Aero told me last night I believe it was longer than two hours. Don't know how much longer, perhaps into the afternoon?

When I got home last night, I found a situation report on the wildland fire hotlists reporting that the larger fire known as the Winslow Fire was at 90% containment at about 8 PM last night with an expected size of about 375 acres. For more information see an Atlantic City Press article, this article from the Asbury Park Press, and this article from the Courier Post The Courier Post article does have a link to the video, shot yesterday, that I embedded here. Kudos to all those who fought this fire on the ground (NJFFS and local firefighters) and those in the air (Downstown and the helo pilot).

RED FLAG WARNINGS are up for NJ, and adjoining areas of PA, NY, DE, and MD from 10 AM today through 8 PM tonight. A fire weather watch for the same areas is up for tomorrow, Easter Sunday.

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: update #2

A smaller fire known as the Piney Hollow Fire (25 acres) is at 100% containment. The larger fire, the Winslow Complex Incident, located at the Atlantic City Expressway (exit 31) was 50 percent contained as about 2 PM EDT. NJ Forest Fire Service officials expect this fire to burn about 375 acres, including any back buring operations.

For more information on the fire:

Situation Report (4/6/12 @1400 hrs) from Wildlandfire Hotlist
Atlantic City Press article (4/6/2012)
6ABC Philly report
slide show - Fox Philly


April 6, 2012 @ 4 PM EDT

updated July 18, 2013: video that I had embedded here is no longer available. :-(

RED FLAG for April 6 and wildfire activity in NJ

Most of NJ and portions of eastern PA are under a RED FLAG warning today, April 6, from 11 AM through 8 PM. Thanks to my friends at the NJFFS Section B10 webpage, I am hearing reports of two wildfires totaling approximately 160 acres in southern NJ (Section C6 - Winslow Township). I understand from my friends at Downstown Aero (who just called me) that one SEAT -- an Air Tractor 602 is working the fire along with an observation helo and a helo with a bucket.

The ABC affiliate in Philadelphia was showing a live stream a little while ago. That stream has ended, at least for now, but the video that I just embedded above may be raw video taken at that time by the ABC6 helo. ABC 6 has a report on the fire and a link to some photos.

AT-602 used on small fire in Ocean County NJ

The folk at Downstown Air sent me the video that I have embedded here from the CBS station in Philadelphia. There was a small wildfire in the Forked River Section of Ocean County NJ this afternoon. The fire burned near some homes and a marina, but there were no evacuations. Bravo 1 (Air Tractor 602) made at least one drop on the fire. You will see a couple of shots of this magnificent aircraft. Having seen her up close and personal about a month ago (go here), it is special to see her in a video doing one of the things that she does best, fighting fires in support of the firefighters on the ground. Bravo-1 flies out of Coyle Field in Burlington County, NJ. According to the report that I just saw on the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10, the fire was contained at 5:30 PM, having burned 6 acres of marsh and 1/2 an acre of forest. In addition, the Lacey Patch reports on the fire.

CL-215 Water Scoopers in MN

This is a nice short video where the pilot shows off one of two CL-215 Water Scoopers used by the MN DNR for aerial firefighting. The Water Scoopers are based at Brainerd DNR Air Tanker Base on the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. There is a short article on the two scoopers that may be found here, that includes the video that I embedded above and a couple of photos. I'd like to thank Michael Archer who included a link to this article in his April 4 Firebomber Publications Blog.

Air Attack - TX Spring 2011 Wildfires

Conair AT 802s back from Australia

Conair, located in Abbotsford, British Columbia in Canada sent two of their Air Tractor 802's to Australia for their spring and summer fire season. The two 802's are now back in Abbotsford BC. A friend of mine sent me a link to an article by ABC in Australia posted as the two pilots ferrying the 802's back to BC were starting their journey back home. The two 802's flew together on their trip back. The article includes a link to a nice audio interview of the two ferry pilots, Scott Gunter and Ray Dyson. Here is a direct link to the audio interview.

More on Fire Danger in NJ and eastern PA

Here is a nice news report from ABC 6 Action News in Philadelphia on March 27 about the high risk of wild fires (aka brush fires in NJ). There were Red Flag warnings on March 26 and March 27, yesterday saw elevated fire danger in NJ. There is a short article from the New Jersey News Room dot com on this years spring fire season in NJ. I found links for both the video that I embedded here as well as the news article on this WildlandFire hotlist thread (posted Mar 29). I know of several smaller wild or brush fires that the NJ Forest Fire Service worked this past week. Thank-you for the work you do in observing and then bringing these fires under control.

Lower North Forks Fire, CO

The Lower North Fork Fire has burned approximately 4,500 acres in Jefferson County, CO and is uncontained. At least two people have died, 23 houses have been destroyed and some 900 other residences have been evacuated since the fire began.  Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported yesterday that the Colorado State Forest Service released a statement yesterday afternoon saying that the fire may have been caused by a controlled burn done last week.

Winds prevented Air operations on Monday, March 26. Yesterday, two P-2 tankers (T-44 and T-45) and one SEAT (Air Tractor 802) worked the fire along with some helos with buckets.

 More info on the Lower Forks Fire:
9News report on fire plus links
9News photo gallery - air ops
Denver Post on fire
Wildfire Today (3/28/12) on Lower North Forks Fire
Wildlandfire hotlist thread on Lower North Forks Fire

NASA rockets study upper level jet stream

The short video that I embedded here shows the launch of five ATREX rockets, suborbital rockets, to study the upper level jet stream. The rockets were launched 80 seconds apart from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia early in the morning of March 27, 2012.

For more information:

NASA - about the study,  (brief description about the study, diagram of atmosphere, about the rockets

NASA - ATREX mission (info on launch, links to photos, etc.

NASA - successful launch of ATREX (includes slide show)

Red Flag Warnings continue in NJ

Red flag warnings continue in NJ for a second day in a row. Today's Red Flag Warnings will last until 4 PM. Regarding wildfire activity yesterday, I suspect but am not certain that most of the wildfire activity were smaller fires. The largest fire that I heard about was on the order of 20 to 30 acres. For an article on some of yesterday's wildfire activity in northern NJ, there is an article from the Asbury Park Press that you may want to read.

Red Flag Warning in NJ

Like other regions in North America, New Jersey has seen a mild winter with dry conditions leading to increased wildfire danger. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for all of New Jersey, portions of eastern PA, DE, and portions of South East NY. Below is the Red Flag Warning issued by the Mt. Holly Office of the National Weather Service. Here are related articles: NJ dot com and Lehigh Valley Live dot com.

The Red Flag Warning for the region served by the Mt. Holly Office of the NWS expires at 9 PM tonight with elevated fire danger expected tomorrow. I can testify to the strong winds blowing.

I'll post updates as conditions warrant.


Red Flag Warning
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
323 PM EDT MON MAR 26 2012

NJZ001-007>010-012>027-270100-
/O.CON.KPHI.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120327T0100Z/
/O.CON.KPHI.FW.A.0002.120327T1200Z-120327T2000Z/
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-COASTAL OCEAN-
SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
323 PM EDT MON MAR 26 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A FIRE
WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

* AFFECTED AREA...NORTHWEST, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. THE
STRONGEST WIND GUSTS WILL OCCUR DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...THROUGH 9 PM. MOST VULNERABLE TIME IS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AROUND 20 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...BECAUSE OF THE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE
POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR RAPID SPREAD IF UNCONTROLLED FIRES DEVELOP.
THE FIRE DANGER WILL BE ELEVATED DUE TO THE STRONG WIND GUSTS,
RECENT LACK OF PRECIPITATION, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES, AND DRY
FUELS.

* TUESDAY...WINDS WILL ONCE AGAIN BE GUSTY, ESPECIALLY IN THE
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON. IF HUMIDITY LEVELS DROP BEFORE THE
WINDS START TO DECREASE, THEN RED FLAG CONDITIONS MIGHT BE
REACHED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

CAL FIRE writes USFS Chief Tidwell

When I reported yesterday about recent news affecting aerial wildland firefighting I forgot one thing. That is, I forgot to mention that Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) wrote a letter to Chief Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) with his reservations about the USFS's current air tanker strategy. For some of you, this may be old news, but it is important, so I will spend a little time here on Pimlott's letter. I first read about this letter in the Firebomber Publication Blog on March 15 where I was able to download a copy of the letter. A few days later, I saw that Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported on this letter on Tues. March 20, 2012, also including a copy of this letter in his article.

Speaking of the size of the federal tanker fleet and its affect on CAL FIRE, Ken Pimlott (CAL FIRE) says:

The reduction in the number of federal air tankers from 43 in 2000 to 11 in 2011, has resulted in significant impacts . . . placing an increasing burden on CAL FIRE aircraft to respond to fires on National Forest Lands. Initial and extended attack fires on federal lands are increasing the flight hours on CAL FIRE's air tankers and reducing their availability for response to new fires.

Bill Gabbert has a nice short commentary about Pimlott's letter in his article of Tues. March 20, 2012. In addition, you might want to read this commentary from the Press-Enterprise on how the reduction in the federal tanker fleet could affect California, you will find the P-E article (dated 3/23/12) here.

News in the tanker and helo biz

It is a little past time to catch up on some news items in the business of aerial wildland fire fighting. So, I'll highlight some of the items that have run across in my wonderings on the internet the last couple of weeks.

1. The chief of the US Forest Service, Chief Tom Tidwell, testified before Congress on the USFS 2013 budget. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today writes about Chief Tidwell's testimony on March 7. In a follow-up article a couple of days later, Bill spends a little more time writing on the 30 helicopters that will be on national contract this year, go here to read his March 9 article.

2. Here are a couple of articles, at least one of which a friend of mine sent me in e-mail, that Mike Archer of the Firebomber Publications Blog wrote about. On March 12, Mike referenced a March 12 editorial in the Press Enterprise on the current fleet of air tankers on national contract, the editorial may be found here. Three days later, on March 15, MIke included a link to another article on the state of the tanker biz from Mountain-News, that may be accessed from this webpage.

3. Walt Darran, since deceased (may he rest in peace) was the chairman of the Associated Aerial Firefighters safety committee at the time I wrote this article. He had written a nice commentary on the future of air tankers in March 2012. Unfortunately, I can not find Walt's commentary. I am familiar with all the good work that Walt did as a pilot and after he retired and feel it appropriate to reference this commentary.

Revised on October 12, 2015 to remove a dead link.

Canadian Air Tankers

Believe it or not, I hoped to write about something else today. But life got in the way. Nothing major, just some details that I had to take care of that were a little time consuming. I am sharing this video with you that I found yesterday, thanks to some friends in NJ. You will get to know some of the air tankers used in by our friends in Canada.

Enjoy.

Ag Cat in action

DC-7 revisited

I ran across the video from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) a few days ago thanks to a friend. EAA has an extensive collection of videos that you may look at on their video site. One of these videos is about Sully and Skiles obtaining their second in command rating for the DC-7 (in the EAA learning to fly channel), a direct link to the video may be found here.

Some of you may recall that I had the privilege of corresponding with Captain Larry Kraus, pilot in command of Butler Aircraft's DC-7 tanker 62 a couple of years ago. I learned a lot about DC-7 tankers and the tanker biz from this correspondence which I wrote about on this blog. See for example, this article, the first of many where I introduce the DC-7 and Butler's DC-7s. Those of you who may want to read more about the DC-7 tankers may want to start by reading articles with the DC-7 label (the newest article is listed first and if you go to the bottom of the page and click older articles you will see the earliest article).

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!

SEATs up close and (sort of) personal (2 of 2)

When I first starting blogging about aerial wildland firefighting over three years ago, one of my first articles was about the Grumman AgCats contracted for by the NJ Forest Fire Service. I got these photos using my cell phone last week as I walking by a hanger at Downstown on the way to my car. I hope to return to Downstown in a few weeks and spend more quality time with both the Grumman Ag Cats and the Air Tractor 602s.  When I do, I'll bring my digital camera with me and get more photos for you.

SEATs up close and (sort of) personal (1 of 2)

When I was at Downstown Airport last week, two Air Tractor 602s. After introducing myself to my host from Downstown and the NJ Forest Fire official who was leading the meeting, I  parked my coat on a chair and went over to introduce myself to the 602s.

What magnificent aircraft they are. I did not have to worry about hitting my head on the wing. I did this once with the Cessna trainer. I walked under the wing with the flaps extended . . .

I was impressed by the wing span, 56 feet according to the specs. Wow. As a comparison, the wing span of the Cessna Skyhawk 172P trainer that have been in on my scenic flights has a wing span of 36 feet. The engine of the 602 was over my head, I'm about 5'8" tall.

I wanted to linger more with each aircraft. I took the photos you see below with my cell phone. Not the greatest photos, but you get the idea. When the meeting started and I sat down, I looked ahead at our leader with the aircraft in the background. It was something special to spend a couple of hours in this hanger observing the NJFFS Aviation Safety Meeting under the watchful eye of these two splendid aircraft. It was as if they were saying, this is what we do, you are here because of me.

It was easy to close my eyes and see these splendid aircraft doing one of the things they do best, fighting fires for the NJFFS. But there are other things they do well like crop dusting.

I'll write a little about Downstown's Grumman AgCats in my next post, with some photos.

Reflections from Observing a NJ Forest Fire Service Aviation Safety Meeting

The other day I has privileged to be invited to sit in as a guest at the NJ Forest Fire Service's (NJFFS) air safety meeting held at Vineland-Downstown Airport in Vineland, NJ.The meeting that I sat in was held in the morning for ground fire fighters, pilots, tanker base personnel, fire observers, and the contractor. I did not attend the pilots recurrency training that was held in the afternoon.

Downstown Aero Crop Service based at Vineland-Downstown Airport (28N) has been providing contract fixed-wing aircraft (SEATs) to the NJ Forest Fire Service since 1967.  Four single engine airtankers (SEATs) will be on duty during the 2012 spring fire season, with each of the three Divisions in the NJ Forest Fire Service having one SEAT. Division A (northern NJ) is the sole exception where two SEATs will be on call for a two week period in April. As of March 6, 2012 the schedule is as follows:

Division A: Aeroflex
Alpha 2 300 AgCat March 26-May 4 (40 days)
Alpha 3 300 AgCat April 7-April 21 (14 days)

Division B: Coyle
Bravo 1 602 Air Tractor March 31 - May 7 (38 days)

Division C: Downstown
Charlie 1 602 Air Tractor March 30 - May 6 (38 days)

SEATs sometimes cross into another Division, when that happens an AgCat will placed in service so that no Division is left unprotected.

Readers of this blog will know that safety is very big deal in wildland fire fighting, whether it be on the ground or in the air. Annual training, sometimes known as recurrency training is important for both ground firefighters and aerial firefighters. I'd like to take a few moments to share some of my impressions and reflections with you.

I was struck by the commitment of everyone in the room (actually a hanger) to safety. Its hard to explain, but I felt like safety was "in the air" in the hanger that morning. Safety, the firefighters on the ground and the pilots working together so that they are safe. All the firefighters being safe while they are doing their jobs of putting out wildland fires and keeping NJ safe.

Communications. Safety is about communications. Going over the radio frequencies used by all divisions in the NJFFS including air to ground. Everyone working the fire knows the frequency being used. Air to ground, the frequencies that the ground firefighters use to talk to the pilots. Thinking before engaging the mic on the radio, using standard terminology that is clear and concise. The importance of listening first to be sure that no one else is using the same frequency. Get a new frequency if the one being used is congested and being sure that all know what the new frequency is. Ground fire fighters give references to the pilots based on the direction that the aircraft is traveling.

Everyone, firefighters on the ground, base personnel, and pilots work together to be sure that aircraft operations are safe. The pilot has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the aircraft. Aviation safety starts with a safe aircraft, that is operated in safe manner.

Review of airports that aircraft can use for refueling. In particular airports with jet fuel A used by the Airtractor 602. You can't get more basic then having fuel for the aircraft and knowing where available fuel is.

The life of a heavy tanker, her crew and support personnel

If you want to read about all that is involved in flying a heavy firefighting air tanker, then there is a nice article that you will want to read. You will learn a little about Minden's T-55, captain and pic Greg Hock. T-55 was based at a temporary tanker base in Abilene TX when the article was written. You will learn a little about life on a tanker base as well as what is like when the tanker is making a drop on a fire.

There are periods of inactivity between fires when the pic and co-pilot have to stay on call. When the call comes, the pic and co-pilot arrive within 15 minutes. The tanker (T-55 in this case) is loaded with retardant and off she goes.

The article also introduces you to some of the many other support personnel that are necessary for aerial wildland fire support operations. A variety of personnel are necessary including aircraft maintenance personnel (including A&P mechanics), those involved in mixing and loading the retardant into the tanker, base and ramp personnel and others.

Michael Archer of The Firebomber Publications Blog aka Wildfire News of the Day, included the article in his March 4, 2012 entry. The article itself was written for the March 4 edition of the Abilene TX Reporter News. I'd also like to another friend who made me aware of the article around the time that I found it on the Fire Publications Blog.

As always, I'm never quite certain how long links from the online edition of print media are freely available. So, if you come here and the link no longer works, that is why. October 6, 2016, I just realized that the link to the March 4, 2012 is no longer available and perhaps it hasn't been for a long time. Unfortunately, I did not save a copy of the article so I can not provide more of a summary for you. As some of you no doubt know, on June 3, 2012 T-55 landed in Minden NV with only two of three gear (see my my June 4 2012 article) . Both pilots survived. To the best of my knowledge, T-55 has not returned to service. 

CFIT: VFR pilot into instrument conditions

Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) "accounts for 17 percent of all general aviation fatalities ... ." (FAA Advisory Circular 61-134, p.1). One type of CFIT accident involves visual flight rules (VFR) only pilots, i.e pilots without an instrument flight rules (IFR) rating, flying in marginal visibility or in instrument conditions.

The practice of attempting to maintain visual flight in marginal visibility or in instrument conditions is referred to as scud running. "CFIT occurs when an airworthy aircraft is flown, under the control of a qualified pilot, into terrain (water or obstacles) with inadequate awareness on the part of the pilot of the impending collision" (FAA Advisory Circular 61-134, p.3).

Many pilots scud run, some live. Some don't.

It is Sunday afternoon, time to go home after a pleasant weekend away visiting friends not far from the mountains. You are worried about the weather, there has been talk of a rain storm coming from the west. You have to fly west to go home, perhaps a 175 nautical mile (NM) flight. You might be able to make it in under 1.5 hours in your Cessna Cutlass.

You get a weather briefing, the bottom of the cloud deck is currently at 3,000 ft  above ground level (AGL), but conditions are forecast to get worse with lower ceilings at about 1,200 feet expected at your home airport in about 1.5 to 2 hours. The mountains between you and home climb anywhere from 2 to 4,000 feet above the elevation of the airport where you landed on Friday,.  But you have flown this route before and know where there is a highway that travels at a lower elevation through the mountains.

You and your son get your things together and drive to the nearby airport. You fueled the plane after landing Friday morning. You are set to go. You take off heading west and level off at 2,500 ft AGL. You find the highway west after a few minutes of flying. Some of the taller mountain tops are shrouded in clouds.  You had a GPS installed in the Cutlass recently. There are still a few features that you need to figure out.

You fly along at 2,500 ft AGL for about 20 minutes, glancing down to check your GPS every so often. You continue to follow the highway.

But then things start to get worse.

Ceilings are lower than forecast, so as the bottom of the cloud deck gets lower, you fly lower and descend to 2000 ft. AGL. As you fly along, the cloud deck continues to get lower and you fly lower and lower until you are just under 1,000 ft AGL flying perhaps a couple hundred feet under the clouds. Several minutes pass and it starts to rain, you aren't worried about the rain because your outside air temperature gauge says that the temps are about 45 degrees F. You are now at about 600 ft above the highway and your eyes are glued outside the cockpit looking ahead at the road below. You are OK because you know where the highway is. On a couple of occasions you have followed the highway west flying VFR, and have also driven west along the same road.

You are losing sight of the highway. Where is it? You fly lower. Oh, is that it down there? You don't know. You keep flying. You don't see that the Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) in the GPS is flashing, first yellow and then red. When you see the mountain it is too late. You pull back on the yoke and take your son's hand. Too late!

__________________________

The above scenario is fictional. There are many real fatal accidents in the NTSB database where the pilot attempts to maintain visual flight in instrument conditions resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. I've read some of them.

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's video, 178 Seconds to Live depicts a similar scenario to the fictional scenario that I have described above. There is no GPS, but you will get an idea of what you might see from the cockpit when a VFR only pilot ends up in instrument conditions. I was not able to get the embed code to work, but you should be able to watch the video from the link I provided. Added on December 18, 2014, I have updated the link to the 178 Seconds to Live video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. A heads up that I was unable to get the video to play in my Firefox browser but it worked in Safari and Chrome. For those you who are interested in seeing the video (I recommend it), there is a similar video that I found from the Civial Aviation Safety Authority in Australia (go here) on YouTube.

I'd like to thank the staff of the Air Safety Institute who assisted me as I was researching this article. I'd also like to thank my pilot friends and my friends at my home airport.

Aviation Weather: Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)

I wrote about an aviation weather product known as a METARs the other day. Today I am going to focus on the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) that uses the same coding that the METAR uses.

TAFs are issued four times a day by the National Weather Service. As its name suggests, the TAF is a weather forecast of particular interest to aviation interests. A TAF is written for a specific airport, usually a larger airport, extending out to five statute miles from the center of the airport. They are updated four times a day, covering a 30 hour time period. When the forecaster determines that the forecast is no longer valid, an amended TAF will be issue superseding  the earlier forecast. A 30 hour TAF is often broken down into specific time periods reflecting a forecast of changing weather conditions.

Before going on a scenic flight, I try to check for TAFs for airports that are near or the route of the flight. Depending on where we are going, there might be two TAF for two airports. For example, late last summer, I flew to the NJ shore on one of my scenic rides. Two of the larger airports along the route had TAFs, Trenton (KTTN) and McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown NJ (KWRI), so I looked at TAFs for KTTN and KWRI. An added benefitis that when a TAF is issued for a specific airport, there is usually a METAR. So I will know the hourly weather report as well as a forecast.

You can get a TAF and a METAR for airports in the U.S. by going to one webpage from the National Weather Service (NWS) Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS): go here to get a TAF. Enter the four digit code (will start with the letter "K") for your nearest international airport in the little box, select TAF, highlight the translate button and then select get TAF. If you aren't sure what the four letter code is for the nearest international airport in your State, you might find your code in this list of Class B airports in the US or this list of Class C airports.

At 1 PM EST (6 PM UTC) on March 2, I went to the NWS ADDS TAF page and got the latest TAF for Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark NJ (KEWR), note that if you try this you will probably get a different TAF. If you want to translate universal or greenwich mean time (UTC) into your time, go here, look for United Kingdom - England - London to get UTC time.

You will see in the TAF below the forecast passage of low pressure system through Newark later today into tomorrow with a low cloud deck and rain. Also note the forecasted change in wind direction and speed.

Forecast for: KEWR (NEWARK , NJ, US)

TAF (coded): KEWR 021723Z 0218/0324 14008KT P6SM BKN015 OVC025
Forecast period: 1800 to 2200 UTC 02 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the SE (140 degrees) at 9 MPH (8 knots; 4.2 m/s)
Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)
Ceiling: 1500 feet AGL
Clouds: broken clouds at 1500 feet AGL
overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL
Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

TAF (coded): FM022200 13010KT P6SM BKN015 OVC025
Forecast period: 2200 UTC 02 March 2012 to 0200 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the SE (130 degrees) at 12 MPH (10 knots; 5.2 m/s)
Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)
Ceiling: 1500 feet AGL
Clouds: broken clouds at 1500 feet AGL
overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL
Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

TAF (coded): FM030200 11014KT 4SM -RA BKN009 OVC015
Forecast period: 0200 to 0400 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the ESE (110 degrees) at 16 MPH (14 knots; 7.3 m/s)
Visibility: 4 miles (6 km)
Ceiling: 900 feet AGL Clouds: broken clouds at 900 feet AGL
overcast cloud deck at 1500 feet AGL
Weather: -RA  (light rain)

TAF (coded): FM030400 08010KT 1SM -RA BR OVC004
Forecast period: 0400 to 1000 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the E (80 degrees) at 12 MPH (10 knots; 5.2 m/s)
Visibility: 1.00 miles (1.61 km)
Ceiling: 400 feet AGL
Clouds: overcast cloud deck at 400 feet AGL
Weather: -RA BR  (light rain, mist)

TAF (coded): FM031000 VRB06KT 1SM -RA BR OVC004
Forecast period: 1000 to 1400 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: variable direction winds at 7 MPH (6 knots; 3.1 m/s)
Visibility: 1.00 miles (1.61 km)
Ceiling: 400 feet AGL
Clouds: overcast cloud deck at 400 feet AGL
Weather: -RA BR  (light rain, mist)

TAF (coded): FM031400 28012KT P6SM BKN012 BKN050
Forecast period: 1400 to 1700 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the W (280 degrees) at 14 MPH (12 knots; 6.2 m/s)
Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)
Ceiling: 1200 feet AGL
Clouds: broken clouds at 1200 feet AGL
broken clouds at 5000 feet AGL
Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

TAF (coded): FM031700 28013G20KT P6SM BKN050
Forecast period: 1700 to 2000 UTC 03 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the W (280 degrees) at 15 MPH (13 knots; 6.8 m/s)
gusting to 23 MPH (20 knots; 10.4 m/s)
Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)
Ceiling: 5000 feet AGL
Clouds: broken clouds at 5000 feet AGL
Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

TAF (coded): FM032000 26015G25KT P6SM SCT250
Forecast period: 2000 UTC 03 March 2012 to 0000 UTC 04 March 2012
Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change
Winds: from the W (260 degrees) at 17 MPH (15 knots; 7.8 m/s)
gusting to 29 MPH (25 knots; 13.0 m/s)
Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)
Clouds: scattered clouds at 25000 feet AGL
Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

For now, this wraps up my articles on aviation weather products. I will be revisiting aviation weather topics from time to time.

June 13, 2014: Someone asked me why the weather products are coded. I don't really know the answer to this question at this time. I just know that when I was learning about various aviation weather reports that I learned about the codes. Fortunately, in the link to the NWS digital aviation weather service that I provided above you can select a button to get a translated TAF. I'll try to find an answer to this question and when I do, I'll post another update.

June 27, 2014: I posted a response to the question of why TAF and METAR weather products are coded in an article that I posted on June 27, 2014 called "Why are METARs and TAFs coded?".

References
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Service. Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (2008), pp 12-10 to 12-11 obtained from this page on the FAA website where individual chapters may be downloaded. Chapter 12 is devoted to Aviation Weather Services.

U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular AC 00-45G (2011) obtained from the FAA, pp. 7-19 to 7-35.