I wrote about eastern and southern state wildland firefighting crews working western wildfires in an August 18th post. I'd like to thank one of my buddies who helped me out by pointing the way to where I could keep current on eastern USA state crews working wildfires outside their state. I'm keeping it simple by focusing on eastern crews. I go to the webpage for the Eastern Area Coordination Center and access two files, one under logistical operations-crews and the other under predictive services-intelligence.
Under logistical operations-crews, I access a report (updated daily when crews are on assignment) called the Interagency Resource Representative IARR Report (this link may access a different document than the one I am referring to). This report lists all eastern wildland firefighting crews that are on assignment outside the eastern area. the fires where they are working, and what they are doing. The crews are listed by a short identifier. Some of the identifiers are easy (I think) to figure out as I'll see the state abbreviation followed by S and in some cases a number.
For example, as I write this, NJS #2 (a crew from the New Jersey designated as #2) is working the Deception Complex fires in Oakridge OR. Other crews from the eastern area that are working the Deception Complex include (assuming that my identification is correct) include crews from the following states: Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, and New Jersey. There are three other crews working that fire that I'm not including because I am unfortunately unable to decipher their short identifier.
A crew from Pennsylvania is listed as traveling home, they were working the Happy Camp Complex of fires in Happy Camp, CA.
A Wisconsim crew is currently assigned to the Initial Attack in the Mt. Hood National Forest in Estacada, OR.
Crews from Delaware and another crew from Pennsylvania are being released from the Upper Falls Fire (Winthrop WA) and will be reassigned.
A second crew from Michigan that was working the Johnson Bar Fire (Kooskia, ID) has been demobilized and is returning home, as is a second crew from Minnesota (had worked the Seepay Fire in Ronan, MT).
Finally, a second document that may be helpful, is found under predictive services-intelligence. It is the current morning briefing and includes a summary of eastern crews out on assignment along with current wildfire activity in the eastern area.
Added 8:50 PM on Aug 22, 2014: The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) has a map where the different Geographic Area Coordination Centers are mapped (GACC). While I believe that the NICC site and the other GACC sites also have a predictive services and a logistics page, they may be set up differently. However, you may be able to find information about where wildland firefighting crews in your area are working.
CAL FIRE (CDF) S2T Tanker 71 working Sawtooth Complex Fire (2006)
Sawtooth Complex Fire (Sept. 2006), San Bernardino County CA. Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service
Friday, August 22, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Rim Fire one year later - debate over plans for forest recovery
In my wonderings, thanks to Michael Archer's Wildfire News of the Day on August 19, 2014, I saw this interesting story (hopefully embedded above) on a debate surrounding forest recovery in the aftermath of the Rim Fire of one year ago. I wrote a two part series last November on the Burned Area Emergency Response on November 6, 2013 and November 11, 2013 (with video of burned area).
A direct link to the National Public Radio article and audio may be found here. I post this without comment, I'll let you decide what you think about this debate.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Hurricane Camille -- 45 years ago (Aug 16-21, 1969)
direct link to video on youtube
Some of you know that I have an interest in weather and meteorology stemming from my interest in aviation. So, I thought I'd pause today to remember Hurricane Camille, a category 5 Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.
Hard to say how well I remember Hurricane Camille, because I have heard about the damage she left on the Gulf Coast. After she was downgraded to a low pressure system she dumped over 25 inches of rain in a corner of Virginia. I was getting ready to return to high school (20 miles north of Baltimore) at the time so the rains that hit Virginia were south of us. I suspect that heard about her through TV news reports.
A map of her track may be found here on the facebook page of the US National Weather Service Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center.
Some of you know that I have an interest in weather and meteorology stemming from my interest in aviation. So, I thought I'd pause today to remember Hurricane Camille, a category 5 Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.
Hard to say how well I remember Hurricane Camille, because I have heard about the damage she left on the Gulf Coast. After she was downgraded to a low pressure system she dumped over 25 inches of rain in a corner of Virginia. I was getting ready to return to high school (20 miles north of Baltimore) at the time so the rains that hit Virginia were south of us. I suspect that heard about her through TV news reports.
A map of her track may be found here on the facebook page of the US National Weather Service Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Wildland firefighting crews from the east and south helping out west
As many of you know, wildfire fighters from around the U.S. are working wildfires out west. The video report above is an interview by NECN of MA Fire Warden David Celino and MA state fire fighter Roy Liard. The crew from MA worked the Chiwaukum Complex Wildfire in Washington, returning from a two week deployment late last week. Another article about this deployment may be found on Gazettenet.
A wildland firefighting crew from Alabama (article from the Gdsden Times returned from a two week deployment last week. They were working the Carlton Complex Wildfire in Washington.
Wildland firefighting crews from Delaware (article from the State of Delaware) and Pennsylvania (article from the Patriot News). I suspect that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service may have sent wildland firefighting crews to help fight wildfires out west, but I have no article to link to at the moment.
I'd like to thank all of my friends from the east and the south and all the other crews that I am leaving out who are deployed out west to help fight the wildfires. I think all of you are wonderful. Thanks so much! Stay safe everyone.
Added on August 21, 2014: After I posted this article, I found a short article dated August 15, 2014 about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service sending an engine (and crew) to help with the wildfires burning out west, go here for the story from 1strespondernews.
Added on August 21, 2014: After I posted this article, I found a short article dated August 15, 2014 about the New Jersey Forest Fire Service sending an engine (and crew) to help with the wildfires burning out west, go here for the story from 1strespondernews.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Smokejumpers: Redding California
direct link to video
I have a deep and abiding respect for all of our wildland firefighters, in the air and on the ground. I always enjoying watching videos of smokejumpers and when this one came across my desk today, thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B-10 website weekly video page I knew that I had to share it with you.
Thanks to all smokejumpers everywhere for all you do.
Stay safe out there.
I have a deep and abiding respect for all of our wildland firefighters, in the air and on the ground. I always enjoying watching videos of smokejumpers and when this one came across my desk today, thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B-10 website weekly video page I knew that I had to share it with you.
Thanks to all smokejumpers everywhere for all you do.
Stay safe out there.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Flooding rains in Long Island (NY)
direct link to report with video
Continuing, more impressive rainfall totals on Long Island, NY. Looking at report below from the NWS New York office, 13.10 inches of rain (storm total) at Mac Arthur Airport on Islip (Long Island) NY. Much of it occurring in a three hour period from 4:56 AM to 7:56 AM.
I hope this is a link to a current map from the NWS of rainfall and flooding reports on Long Island. This is the first time that I have linked (on 8/13/14 at 9:55 AM EDT) to this particular mapping display. I believe that the rainfall observations are good only for the preceding 24 hour period from when I accessed the map. I'll keep an eye on this link and will update or delete later as necessary.
000 NOUS41 KOKX 131234 PNSOKX CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179-140034- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT SPOTTER REPORTS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 834 AM EDT WED AUG 13 2014 THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 15 HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/NYC ********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL******************** LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS RAINFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY... BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT 1.34 800 AM 8/13 ASOS DANBURY AIRPORT 0.78 703 AM 8/13 ASOS ...NEW HAVEN COUNTY... NEW HAVEN 2.03 702 AM 8/13 ASOS MERIDEN 0.75 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...NEW LONDON COUNTY... GROTON AIRPORT 2.17 820 AM 8/13 ASOS NEW JERSEY ...BERGEN COUNTY... TETERBORO 0.56 706 AM 8/13 ASOS WESTWOOD 0.54 645 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...ESSEX COUNTY... NEWARK AIRPORT 0.58 800 AM 8/13 ASOS CALDWELL AIRPORT 0.41 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...HUDSON COUNTY... NORTH BERGEN 0.83 745 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER NEW YORK ...KINGS COUNTY... MIDWOOD 1.34 706 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...NASSAU COUNTY... WANTAGH 7.84 825 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER MERRICK 6.81 749 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER BELLMORE 5.20 830 AM 8/13 PUBLIC LONG BEACH 4.64 729 AM 8/13 PUBLIC PLAINVIEW 4.61 640 AM 8/13 PUBLIC SYOSSET 4.01 658 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER FLORAL PARK 2.80 745 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER BAYVILLE 2.63 730 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER MALVERNE 0.98 700 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER ...NEW YORK COUNTY... CENTRAL PARK 0.70 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...ORANGE COUNTY... MONTGOMERY AIRPORT 0.65 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...QUEENS COUNTY... NYC/JFK AIRPORT 3.19 800 AM 8/13 ASOS NYC/LA GUARDIA 0.77 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...SUFFOLK COUNTY... ISLIP AIRPORT 13.10 800 AM 8/13 ASOS HOLBROOK 10.82 703 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE ISLIP 9.80 715 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER DEER PARK 8.30 830 AM 8/13 PUBLIC RONKONKOMA 8.20 640 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER FARMINGVILLE 7.73 800 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER CENTEREACH 5.93 730 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE EAST FARMINGDALE 4.93 800 AM 8/13 ASOS MEDFORD 4.45 800 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER CENTERPORT 3.18 700 AM 8/13 CO-OP OBSERVER UPTON 1.74 800 AM 8/13 NWS OFFICE STONY BROOK 1.59 515 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER SHIRLEY AIRPORT 1.15 800 AM 8/13 ASOS WESTHAMPTON AIRPORT 0.68 800 AM 8/13 ASOS 1 NNE MONTAUK 0.14 800 AM 8/13 ASOS ...WESTCHESTER COUNTY... WHITE PLAINS AIRPORT 0.85 800 AM 8/13 ASOS **********************24 HOUR RAINFALL********************** LOCATION 24 HOUR TIME/DATE COMMENTS RAINFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY... 3 SSE BROOKFIELD 0.67 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...MIDDLESEX COUNTY... 3 WSW EAST HAMPTON 0.93 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS NEW JERSEY ...BERGEN COUNTY... 1 W TENAFLY 0.71 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS WNW OAKLAND 0.16 720 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 1 ESE OAKLAND 0.08 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...ESSEX COUNTY... 1 SE MAPLEWOOD TWP 0.72 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 1 NE CEDAR GROVE TWP 0.62 600 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...HUDSON COUNTY... N HARRISON 0.58 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...UNION COUNTY... 1 NE WESTFIELD 0.73 645 AM 8/13 COCORAHS NEW YORK ...NASSAU COUNTY... W FLORAL PARK 2.53 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...PUTNAM COUNTY... 8 NE COLD SPRINGS 0.14 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS 4 ESE BEACON 0.08 620 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...QUEENS COUNTY... 1 SW MIDDLE VILLAGE 1.43 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...RICHMOND COUNTY... 1 SE STATEN ISLAND 0.73 730 AM 8/13 COCORAHS ...WESTCHESTER COUNTY... 2 NW SOUTH SALEM 0.72 700 AM 8/13 COCORAHS $$ JP
Flooding rains in South Jersey and adjoining States
direct link to video
Very impressive rain totals in southern NJ, Deleware, Maryland, and Long Island. Reports of 5 to 9 inches of rain in those areas.
000
NOUS41 KPHI 131048
PNSPHI
DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055-
060>062-067>071-132248-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
648 AM EDT WED AUG 13 2014
THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN FOR THE STORM THAT
AFFECTED OUR REGION. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE
AT WEATHER.GOV/PHI
********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************
LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
RAINFALL OF
/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT
DELAWARE
...NEW CASTLE COUNTY...
GLASGOW 3.42 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
BLACKBIRD 3.08 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
MIDDLETOWN 3.05 700 PM 8/12 TRAINED SPOTTER
NEWARK 2.71 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
NEW CASTLE 2.65 500 AM 8/13 DEOS
WILMINGTON AIRPORT 2.51 200 AM 8/13 ASOS
MARYLAND
...CECIL COUNTY...
ELKTON 2.68 930 PM 8/12 TRAINED SPOTTER
...KENT COUNTY...
ROCK HALL 4.60 850 PM 8/12 SOCIAL MEDIA
GALENA 3.64 545 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 SE BETTERTON 3.17 715 PM 8/12 MESONET
...QUEEN ANNE`S COUNTY...
ROMANCOKE 8.47 100 AM 8/13 NWS EMPLOYEE
CENTREVILLE 7.60 240 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
CENTREVILLE LANDING 6.06 930 PM 8/12 MESONET
STEVENSVILLE 3.57 930 PM 8/12 MESONET
NEW JERSEY
...ATLANTIC COUNTY...
ESTELL MANOR 6.17 630 AM 8/13 CO-OP OBSERVER
ATLANTIC CITY AIRPOR 5.58 200 AM 8/13 ASOS
MULLICA TWP 4.14 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
OCEANVILLE 3.93 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
SOMERS POINT 2.40 500 AM 8/13 PUBLIC
...BURLINGTON COUNTY...
CHATSWORTH 4.76 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
TABERNACLE 2.04 300 AM 8/13 PUBLIC
...CAMDEN COUNTY...
BLUE ANCHOR 3.96 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
...CAPE MAY COUNTY...
WOODBINE 2.68 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
MILLVILLE AIRPORT 8.94 300 AM 8/13 ASOS
NEWPORT 8.60 400 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 NW LEAMINGS MILL 6.40 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
2 SSE NORTH VINELAND 5.22 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
1 SE RAMMEL MILL 4.33 1145 PM 8/12 MESONET
GREENWICH 2.49 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
...GLOUCESTER COUNTY...
3 W FRANKLIN TWP 5.19 1230 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
WASHINGTON TWP 2.91 110 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
...MONMOUTH COUNTY...
MANASQUAN 5.83 515 AM 8/13 MESONET
WALL TWP 4.94 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
SEA GIRT 4.56 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
BELMAR AIRPORT 3.28 500 AM 8/13 AWOS
...OCEAN COUNTY...
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TW 7.50 200 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
MANAHAWKIN 7.25 200 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
2 NNE STAFFORD TWP 7.25 200 AM 8/13 COCORAHS
POINT PLEASANT 5.90 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
BRICK TWP 5.40 300 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 SSW PINEWALD 5.27 115 AM 8/13 MESONET
SEASIDE HEIGHTS 4.59 500 AM 8/13 NJWXNET
TOMS RIVER 4.39 230 AM 8/13 TRAINED SPOTTER
LAKEWOOD 4.02 515 AM 8/13 MESONET
BARNEGAT LIGHT 3.67 345 AM 8/13 MESONET
TOMS RIVER AIRPORT 3.29 200 AM 8/13 AWOS
...SALEM COUNTY...
WOODSTOWN 2.53 230 AM 8/13 MESONET
$$
GORSE
Monday, August 11, 2014
Wildfire in Sweden
For the last couple of weeks I was busy working on a project that took up much of my available time. In spite of that, I did have an awareness of what was happening wildfire wise. I heard a couple of reports on National Public Radio about the then current significant wildfires burning out west. Thanks to Mike Archer's Wildfire News of the Day I was able to read the headlines about wildfire news. In addition, I am grateful for some friends who periodically send me updates of news about tankers and helicopters working fire in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere.
One of the wildfires that I heard about last week was a wildfire in Sweden. I understand that this was the worst wildfire in Sweden in quite some time, and one person is reported to have died in the fire. By now this wildfire may be in the category of old news. For example here is an article on the Wall Street Journal Online dated August 5th (with video) that Bill Gabbert referenced in an article he posted on he first posted on August 5th with updates on the 6th and the 7th. Here is a link to a video (in Swedish)
Here is a satellite photo of the Swedish wildfire from earth observatory taken on or about August 4th.
As I was working on this article, an article in English with news of the wildfire in Sweden came across my desk: dated August 10th from The Local: Sweden's News in English. According to this article, there is concern that the wildfire may flare up again. Fixed-wing aircraft on loan to Sweden from Italy and France will be staying in Sweden through August 15th according to this report. Further while some evacuations were lifted over the weekend, there is concern that more evacuations could be put in place. Some twenty homes have been destroyed.
The wildfire in Sweden that I first read about last week, serves as a recurrent reminder to me that wildfires occur around the world, not just in the United States and Canada.
Revised on October 12, 2015 to removed a dead link. Also, the last edition of Mike Archers Wildfire News of the Day will be October 30, 2015.
One of the wildfires that I heard about last week was a wildfire in Sweden. I understand that this was the worst wildfire in Sweden in quite some time, and one person is reported to have died in the fire. By now this wildfire may be in the category of old news. For example here is an article on the Wall Street Journal Online dated August 5th (with video) that Bill Gabbert referenced in an article he posted on he first posted on August 5th with updates on the 6th and the 7th. Here is a link to a video (in Swedish)
Here is a satellite photo of the Swedish wildfire from earth observatory taken on or about August 4th.
As I was working on this article, an article in English with news of the wildfire in Sweden came across my desk: dated August 10th from The Local: Sweden's News in English. According to this article, there is concern that the wildfire may flare up again. Fixed-wing aircraft on loan to Sweden from Italy and France will be staying in Sweden through August 15th according to this report. Further while some evacuations were lifted over the weekend, there is concern that more evacuations could be put in place. Some twenty homes have been destroyed.
The wildfire in Sweden that I first read about last week, serves as a recurrent reminder to me that wildfires occur around the world, not just in the United States and Canada.
Revised on October 12, 2015 to removed a dead link. Also, the last edition of Mike Archers Wildfire News of the Day will be October 30, 2015.
Friday, August 08, 2014
Fire Shelter Deployment
All wildland firefighters working on the ground carry fire shelters, practice deploying fire shelters during their annual training. The hope is that they never have to deploy fire shelters. Watch the 10 minute video to learn more about deploying fire shelters.
direct link to video
Video from Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, for more information on fire shelters to this page from NIFC.
direct link to video
Video from Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, for more information on fire shelters to this page from NIFC.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
About grass fires
Over the course of the years that I have been writing about aerial wildland firefighting, I have heard a lot about grass fires. So, when this video came across my desk a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had to watch this 25 minute training video from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. I have a new appreciation for the dangers of wildland firefighting, whether a grass fire or a fire in another fuel. In addition to learning how wildland firefighters stay safe while fighting grass fires, you will hear about an entrapment that did not have a good outcome and you hear from another wildland firefighter who was burned in a grass fire share his experiences.I share it here out of respect for what all wildland firefighters do to help protect us from wildfires.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Monday, August 04, 2014
Wildfires in treated versus untreated fuels
In writing about aerial wildland firefighting, a lot of the focus is on tankers dropping retardant on or near wildfires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. In this 16 minute from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) you will learn about the difference between how wildfires burn when treated with retardant compared with wildfires burning in untreated fuels.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Friday, August 01, 2014
La Grande Air Attack, Pt 2 of 2
Continuing with Part 2 on Air Attack Mission Overview, I posted part 1 on July 30th, here is part 2 of the 2 part Air Attack Mission Overview by Larry Aragon. Allow about 14 minutes to watch the video.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
La Grande Air Attack, Pt 1 of 2
Late last year I shared a video from the National Interagency Fire Center called Firefighting Airspace (see my October 3, 2013 article. I recently came across a two-part video on La Grande Air Attack Missions, produced by Larry Aragon. I post part 1 today and part 2 will follow on August 1. Please allow about 14 minutes to watch the video. La Grande Air Attack is based in Oregon.
direct link to video.
direct link to video.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Scooping Tankers -- CL 415 and Air Tractor-802F Fireboss
I recently came across a nice, short video shot on a Lake near Pateros WA showing two tankers scooping water from the Lake while working the Carlton Complex Fire on July 16, 2014.
The first aircraft you see is probably AeroFlites CL-415 T-260, a new CL-415 that went on contract in May, 2014. For more information on AeroFlites T-260 see Fire Aviation's article of May 8, 2014. It holds 1,600 gallons of water/foam.
The second aircraft looks like an Air Tractor AT-802-F Fireboss, an AT-802F with amphibious flats capable of scooping 800 gallons of water. It is capable of working on the land as well as scooping water.
direct link to video
The first aircraft you see is probably AeroFlites CL-415 T-260, a new CL-415 that went on contract in May, 2014. For more information on AeroFlites T-260 see Fire Aviation's article of May 8, 2014. It holds 1,600 gallons of water/foam.
The second aircraft looks like an Air Tractor AT-802-F Fireboss, an AT-802F with amphibious flats capable of scooping 800 gallons of water. It is capable of working on the land as well as scooping water.
direct link to video
Friday, July 25, 2014
Upcoming Posts
I have got a potpourri of different kinds of articles planned for the next couple of weeks and thought I'd give you a heads up on what to expect. All of them center on videos that I recently found.
July 28, 2014: Scooping Tankers -- CL 415 and Air Tractor-802F Fireboss
July 30, 2014: La Grande Air Attack, Pt 1 of 2, narrated footage from the cockpit
August 1, 2014: La Grande Air Attack, Pt 2 of 2, narrated footage from the cockpit
August 4, 2014: Wildfires in treated versus untreated fuels
August 6, 2014: About the dangers of fighting grass fires
August 8. 2014: About fire shelter deployment
July 28, 2014: Scooping Tankers -- CL 415 and Air Tractor-802F Fireboss
July 30, 2014: La Grande Air Attack, Pt 1 of 2, narrated footage from the cockpit
August 1, 2014: La Grande Air Attack, Pt 2 of 2, narrated footage from the cockpit
August 4, 2014: Wildfires in treated versus untreated fuels
August 6, 2014: About the dangers of fighting grass fires
August 8. 2014: About fire shelter deployment
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Update on Wildfires in Pacific Northwest (USA) and British Columbia (Canada)
I thought I'd post some updated information about the wildfires that I wrote about on July 28th.
Starting with British Columbia (Canada), I reported on two wildfires:
1. The Red Deer Creek Fire (burning in British Columbia and Alberta: an estimated 34,827 hectares burned (or 86,060 acres) reported to be 10 percent contained. Evacuations are no longer in place. Structure protection is in places at oil and gas values in the vicinity. Cooler temps and lower humidity earlier this week helped wildland firefighters.
2. The Smith Creek Fire is reported at 280 hectares (or 692 acres) thanks to better mapping. (642 acres) and remains at 60 percent containment. Only one property (down from 2,200) remains under an evacuation order as of Tuesday, July 22.
A nice interactive map of the current active wildfires in British Columbia may be found on here.
Wildfires continue in the Pacific Northwest. Here is updated information on:
Buzzard Complex (OR) 395,747 acres, 905 percent of the perimeter is contained.
Carlton Complex (WA) 250,258 acres, 16 percent of the perimeter is contained.
For more information on wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington, thanks to Mike Archer of Wildfire News of the Day:
Bill Gabbert posted an update on the Carlton Complex Wildfire (WA) on Wildfire Today on July 22nd
Starting with British Columbia (Canada), I reported on two wildfires:
1. The Red Deer Creek Fire (burning in British Columbia and Alberta: an estimated 34,827 hectares burned (or 86,060 acres) reported to be 10 percent contained. Evacuations are no longer in place. Structure protection is in places at oil and gas values in the vicinity. Cooler temps and lower humidity earlier this week helped wildland firefighters.
2. The Smith Creek Fire is reported at 280 hectares (or 692 acres) thanks to better mapping. (642 acres) and remains at 60 percent containment. Only one property (down from 2,200) remains under an evacuation order as of Tuesday, July 22.
A nice interactive map of the current active wildfires in British Columbia may be found on here.
Wildfires continue in the Pacific Northwest. Here is updated information on:
Buzzard Complex (OR) 395,747 acres, 905 percent of the perimeter is contained.
Carlton Complex (WA) 250,258 acres, 16 percent of the perimeter is contained.
For more information on wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington, thanks to Mike Archer of Wildfire News of the Day:
- KOIN6 on new wildfires (with video) in OR and update on Carlton Complex in WA
- update on Carlton Complex Wildfire, biggest in WA history
- Our friends from British Columbia sent tankers to help fight WA wildfires
- WA state firefighting cost exceeding budget
Bill Gabbert posted an update on the Carlton Complex Wildfire (WA) on Wildfire Today on July 22nd
Monday, July 21, 2014
Wildfires in Pacific Northwest (USA) and British Columbia (Canada)
When I start to hear about wildfires on the radio and in other news outlets, then I know that they are major wildfires. That is the case with two wildfires that I've been hearing about the last couple of days (info in urls current at the time I write this, 3:30 PM EDT on 7/21/14):
Buzzard Complex (OR) 395,747 acres, 75 percent of the perimeter is contained, caused by lightning
Carlton Complex (WA) 237,890 acres, 2 percent of the perimeter is contained, caused by lightning and other natural causes.
This is a report from the July 18th CBS evening news, I'm not sure if the evacuations referred to are still in place. You will hear about the wildfires in Washington and elsewhere out west.
Here is another report on the Washington wildfires from Fox News dated July 21.
Not to leave Oregon out, Oregon Live reports on the wildfires in central Oregon in a report also dated July 21st (with photos).
Before I move on to the wildfire situation in Canada, I want to provide a brief update on the Shaniko Butte Fire that I wrote about on July 16, 2014The fire is now at 42,500 acres and 50 percent of the perimeter is contained.
Before I move on to the wildfire situation in Canada, I want to provide a brief update on the Shaniko Butte Fire that I wrote about on July 16, 2014The fire is now at 42,500 acres and 50 percent of the perimeter is contained.
At the same time that wildfires have been burning in Oregon and Washington (and elsewhere in the western USA), there have been wildfires burning in British Columbia and Northwest Territories in Canada.
Here is a video (dated July 18 and published on July 20) from Global News reporting on one of the wildfires burning in British Columbia (with some tanker and helo footage!)
I found a report on CTV News in Vancouver updated this morning that may be found here reporting that 2,400 of the 2,500 people who were evacuated due to the wildfire burnining near West Kelowna B.C. have been allowed to return. The CTV report also refers to a 35,000 hectare fire burning near the boarder of B.C. and Alberta.
For more information on wildfires burning in British Columbia, the Wildfire Management Branch has a devoted webpage for Widlfires of Note along with a nice interactive map which maps wildfires that are currently burning. Here is some information on the two fires that I first read about in the CTV report:
1. The Red Deer Creek Fire: an estimated 34,827 hectares burned (or 86,060 acres), there is no containment as I write this, the fire was caused by lightning.
2. I believe but am not certain that the fire burning near West Kelowna that CTV reported on is the Smith Creek Fire that has burning 260 hectares (642 acres) and is at 60 percent containment. Evacuation orders remain in effect.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Planes Fire & Rescue is here!!
direct link to video
direct link to video
CAL FIRE advised Disney in the production of Planes: Fire & Rescue. see this July 16th article from the Huffington Post. Also advising Disney on the film were the Redding Smoke Jumper base (see this article from KRCTV) and the US Forest Service.
As I write this update it is 5:30 PM EDT on July 18th, I just got back from seeing Planes: Fire & Rescue. I stayed to the end to see the credits and saw references to the advisors from CAL FIRE, and CAL FIRE's Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base as well as the Grass Valley Air Attack Base. The credits were scrolling quickly, so I missed the references to the Redding Smoke Jumper Base and the US Forest Service.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Shaniko Butte Fire (Warm Springs) OR
I have had the pleasure of sharing videos by Steve Konrad on this blog, see for example my articles of Aug. 19, 2013, May 23, 2014, and May 26, 2014. I don't have any more videos from my friend Steve to show you at the moment. But I did hear from him yesterday morning and he told me that he had just gotten word that his crew was deployed to wildfire in or near Warm Springs, Oregon.
I decided to devote todays article to the fire that Steve's crew is working on. I can't say with absolute certainty that the fire that Steve's crew is working on is the Shanko Butte Fire (OR-WSA-H8AK), but it is the only active wildfire that I have found currently burning in Oregon that is near Warm Springs, Oregon. By the way, I believe that Warm Springs is in or near the lands of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Unfortunately, I don't have a whole lot of information about the Shaniko Butte Fire to share with you or link to. The latest inciweb info on the Shaniko Butte Fire (accessed 7/16/14 about 5 PM EDT) has minimal information, the date the fire started (July 13th), and some kml fire perimeter files that I used to create the google earth image that I am sharing with you. According to information that I obtained from the kml fire perimeter file that fire had burned 12,197.85 acres as of July 16, 2014.
The morning report for July 16, 2014 from the Northwest Coordinating Center describes the Shaniko Butte Fire:
KTVZ in Bend Oregon has been covering this fire, their latest report (with a video) update on July 16, 2014 may be found here. KTVZ is reporting that 280 personal (including my buddy Steve and his crew?) are working the fire, which is not contained as I write this. They also report that aircraft may be working the fire, with the possibility of helicopters dipping from the Deschutes River.
For my buddy Steve Konrad and the rest of his Tom Fery Crew, I am thinking of you. If this it turns out that I have mis-identified the fire that you are working on, well the thought is there. And of course there are many, many other wildland fire crews out there (US, Canada, and globally) working fires. This article is for all of you. You do what you do to keep us safe from wildfires, often working in situations of extreme wildfire behavior. Stay safe!
I decided to devote todays article to the fire that Steve's crew is working on. I can't say with absolute certainty that the fire that Steve's crew is working on is the Shanko Butte Fire (OR-WSA-H8AK), but it is the only active wildfire that I have found currently burning in Oregon that is near Warm Springs, Oregon. By the way, I believe that Warm Springs is in or near the lands of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Unfortunately, I don't have a whole lot of information about the Shaniko Butte Fire to share with you or link to. The latest inciweb info on the Shaniko Butte Fire (accessed 7/16/14 about 5 PM EDT) has minimal information, the date the fire started (July 13th), and some kml fire perimeter files that I used to create the google earth image that I am sharing with you. According to information that I obtained from the kml fire perimeter file that fire had burned 12,197.85 acres as of July 16, 2014.
 |
| Shaniko Butte Fire Perimeter on July 16, 2014 (from Google Earth) |
The morning report for July 16, 2014 from the Northwest Coordinating Center describes the Shaniko Butte Fire:
Start 7/13. Grass and brush. Cause lightning. … Extreme fire behavior. Values at risk; residences and structures.In addition, the Northwest Coordinating Center has a blog with information on fires buying in the northwest, including an entry on July 15, 2014 at 7 PM reporting the loss of one residence.
KTVZ in Bend Oregon has been covering this fire, their latest report (with a video) update on July 16, 2014 may be found here. KTVZ is reporting that 280 personal (including my buddy Steve and his crew?) are working the fire, which is not contained as I write this. They also report that aircraft may be working the fire, with the possibility of helicopters dipping from the Deschutes River.
For my buddy Steve Konrad and the rest of his Tom Fery Crew, I am thinking of you. If this it turns out that I have mis-identified the fire that you are working on, well the thought is there. And of course there are many, many other wildland fire crews out there (US, Canada, and globally) working fires. This article is for all of you. You do what you do to keep us safe from wildfires, often working in situations of extreme wildfire behavior. Stay safe!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Mills Canyon Fire WA and Moccasin Hill Fire OR
There have been two fires burning in the northwest that I have been hearing about recently in the news: The Mills Canyon Fire burning easy of Seattle, WA and the Moccasin Hill Fire burning near Lakeview OR. These are but two of several wildfires that are currently burning in Washington, Oregon, and California. Stay safe everyone and thanks for all you do to keep us safe.
direct link to video (posted July 9, 2014)
The Mills Canyon Fire, started on July 8 has burned 22,571 acres and is currently at 25 percent containment. You can see a small sampling of the aerial resources (helos and one of the DC-10 tankers) that worked the fire in the second video that I embedded above. Evacuations were in place on July 13th (for more information go here. Some photos are available from this inciweb page.
There is a thread on the Wildland Fire Hotlist for the Mills Canyon Fire. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote about the Mills Canyon Fire on July 10th, 2014 and updated on July 13th.
Some media reports:
KATU on July 10 with photos and a video
Fox News (July 12)
Moccasin Hill Fire (OR)
I believe that I learned about the Moccasin Hill Fire from a crawler on one of my local news broadcasts this morning. According to a fire update on an Oregon Dept. of Forestry Wildfire Blog, this fire has burned an unknown number of residences and evacuations were in place yesterday (July 13th). According to the Inciweb page for the Moccasin Hill Fire, the fire started Sunday afternoon, July 13th at about1:15 PM PDT, has burned 2,000 acres and is not contained (based on information from late in the evening of July 13th) Information on aerial resources (including helos and tankers that worked the fire yesterday may be found in this news release
For more information:
Wildfire Today on the Moccasin Hill Fire
KVAL (July 13th, 9 PM PDT)
Edited and revised on November 30, 2015 to remove dead link.
direct link to video (posted July 9, 2014)
The Mills Canyon Fire, started on July 8 has burned 22,571 acres and is currently at 25 percent containment. You can see a small sampling of the aerial resources (helos and one of the DC-10 tankers) that worked the fire in the second video that I embedded above. Evacuations were in place on July 13th (for more information go here. Some photos are available from this inciweb page.
There is a thread on the Wildland Fire Hotlist for the Mills Canyon Fire. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote about the Mills Canyon Fire on July 10th, 2014 and updated on July 13th.
Some media reports:
KATU on July 10 with photos and a video
Fox News (July 12)
Moccasin Hill Fire (OR)
I believe that I learned about the Moccasin Hill Fire from a crawler on one of my local news broadcasts this morning. According to a fire update on an Oregon Dept. of Forestry Wildfire Blog, this fire has burned an unknown number of residences and evacuations were in place yesterday (July 13th). According to the Inciweb page for the Moccasin Hill Fire, the fire started Sunday afternoon, July 13th at about1:15 PM PDT, has burned 2,000 acres and is not contained (based on information from late in the evening of July 13th) Information on aerial resources (including helos and tankers that worked the fire yesterday may be found in this news release
For more information:
Wildfire Today on the Moccasin Hill Fire
KVAL (July 13th, 9 PM PDT)
Edited and revised on November 30, 2015 to remove dead link.
Friday, July 11, 2014
SEATs - Mostly about SEATs on Exclusive Use Contracts
I believe that I first became aware that there would be awarded this year (2014) when I read the March 2014 edition of AgAir Update (Marc Mullis, "Gearing up for the new season", AgAir Update, March 2014, p. F-13). Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation announced the awards of the Exclusive Use SEAT contracts on April 28, 2014:
For a few years I had been hearing about Call When Needed (CWN) SEAT contracts, and was curious about how SEAT retardant tank capacity compared under the CWN contract and the EU contract. You may recall that Type 3 SEATs have 800 gallon retardant tanks and Type 4 SEATs have smaller retardant tanks (500 to 799 gallons) (for example see my discussion on my airtanker 101 page. I had a suspicion that type 4 SEATs could be contracted under the CWN contract but I wanted to see what the contracts said. What can I say, I am a bit of a geek. That being said, I know that analyzing tanker contracts can be a bit tedious and is beyond the purpose of this blog. However, I was gambling that the particular points that I am interested would be easy to find and more or less understandable. I hope that I was right.
According to the Exclusive Use (EU) SEAT Contract (found here), SEATs under the Exclusive Use Contract are Type 3 SEATs (a Type 3 SEAT carries 800 to 1,799 gallons of retardant) and will have a retardant gate system approved by the Interagency Airtanker Board (EU SEAT Contract Sections, B2.2.1, B2.2.2; p. 11, accessed on July 10, 2014). On the otherhand, SEATs on a Call When Needed (CWN) Contract (found here) can be Type 3 SEATs or Type 4 SEATs (500 to 799 gallons of retardant). The retardant gate systems on Type 4 SEATs do not have to be certified by the Interagency Airtanker Board (CWN SEAT Contract Sections, B2.2.1, B2.2.2; p. 11, accessed on July 10, 2014).
And I found this about relief pilots in the EU and CWN SEAT contracts:
For those of you who are interested in such things, a listing of the SEATs under exclusive use contract may be found here. Finally, my entry point for accessing all of the SEAT documents that I linked to in this article (as well as lots of other information on SEATs) may be found on the BLM Fire and Aviation Single Engine Airtanker Page.
The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group announced today that the Department of the Interior is funding 33 exclusive use Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) in 2014 as national shared resources. Historically, SEATs have been funded as primarily a local or regional resource with assigned home bases. The 2014 exclusive use SEAT fleet will not have assigned home bases. They will be treated as national shared resources similar to Large Air Tankers (LATs). Geographic area Coordination Centers (GACCs) can preposition SEATs using the same mechanisms and rationale used for other national resources DOI contracts for 33 Single Engine Air Tankers.Bill provides a good and easy to read discussion of some of the details of the Exclusive Use Contracts including the mandatory availability period (100 days), and that no relief pilot is required. You might want to take a few moments and read his April 28th article, DOI contracts for 33 Single Engine Air Tankers.
For a few years I had been hearing about Call When Needed (CWN) SEAT contracts, and was curious about how SEAT retardant tank capacity compared under the CWN contract and the EU contract. You may recall that Type 3 SEATs have 800 gallon retardant tanks and Type 4 SEATs have smaller retardant tanks (500 to 799 gallons) (for example see my discussion on my airtanker 101 page. I had a suspicion that type 4 SEATs could be contracted under the CWN contract but I wanted to see what the contracts said. What can I say, I am a bit of a geek. That being said, I know that analyzing tanker contracts can be a bit tedious and is beyond the purpose of this blog. However, I was gambling that the particular points that I am interested would be easy to find and more or less understandable. I hope that I was right.
According to the Exclusive Use (EU) SEAT Contract (found here), SEATs under the Exclusive Use Contract are Type 3 SEATs (a Type 3 SEAT carries 800 to 1,799 gallons of retardant) and will have a retardant gate system approved by the Interagency Airtanker Board (EU SEAT Contract Sections, B2.2.1, B2.2.2; p. 11, accessed on July 10, 2014). On the otherhand, SEATs on a Call When Needed (CWN) Contract (found here) can be Type 3 SEATs or Type 4 SEATs (500 to 799 gallons of retardant). The retardant gate systems on Type 4 SEATs do not have to be certified by the Interagency Airtanker Board (CWN SEAT Contract Sections, B2.2.1, B2.2.2; p. 11, accessed on July 10, 2014).
And I found this about relief pilots in the EU and CWN SEAT contracts:
Relief Pilot not required under the EU Contract (EU SEAT Contract Section C24.2, p. 41, Accessed on July 10, 2014) while relief pilots are required for CWN Contracts (CWN SEAT Contract Section C24.2, p. 41, accessed on July 10, 2014).
For those of you who are interested in such things, a listing of the SEATs under exclusive use contract may be found here. Finally, my entry point for accessing all of the SEAT documents that I linked to in this article (as well as lots of other information on SEATs) may be found on the BLM Fire and Aviation Single Engine Airtanker Page.
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Reflections on writing this Blog (2 of 2)
In late June into early July 2008, I was on vacation in rural northern New England, and away from easy access to the internet. I was slowly starting to get back into writing articles for this blog. I wasn't sure what direction my writing would go, but I kept writing anyway. I spent some time each day listening to the news on National Public Radio when one day I recall hearing reports on the Basin Complex Fire that was then burning in the Big Sur area of Southern California. Each day more reports followed and for reasons that are still hard to articulate, I found myself getting interested in wildfires. I knew when I returned from vacation that I would write about the Basin Complex Fire.
My first article on wildfires, on the Basin Complex Fire, was six years ago today, July 9, 2008. And I was hooked, I had entered a new world. I knew that I had a lot to learn. The best way I can describe those first few months of writing about wildfires was that I was taking my few readers along with me as I learned about the world of wildland firefighting.
By late December 2008, I was still interested in wildland firefighting and wanted to keep writing about wildland firefighting. I had an awareness that aerial resources were used in wildland firefighting, but knew no specifics. The problem was that I was approaching the end of what I could easily do on my own. In early to mid-January of 2009 I met a new friend who knew about aerial wildland firefighting from the inside. My friend introduced tohis world of aerial wildland fire firefighting and spent a lot of time teaching me including many e-mails and sending me a lot of information that I soaked up. A couple of weeks after I met my new friend, I wrote my first articles on aerial wildland firefighting. Over the course of the next few months I continued to write about aerial wildland firefighting and I continued to learn. I met a few more people in the business. I continued to learn and I continued to write. I am eternally grateful to those in the business that I met those first several months that I was writing about aerial wildland firefighting, they made those first several months easier as I continued to learn and gain confidence.
My new friends introduced me to the world of aerial wildland firefighting and helped me wade through various websites where I could find information, introducing me to some sources of good and reliable information on wildland fires in the U.S. and elsewhere and I met more people knowledgeable about aerial wildland firefighting. They answered my questions and we chatted by e-mail while I watched live streams of major wildfires out west. They send me information that I would not otherwise easily find on the internet. I am still in touch with many of those who helped me early on as well as some I met later, they continue to answer my questions and send me information. Thanks to all of you who helped me early on as well those I met later. My blog is better for knowing all of you wonderful people.
I still continue to learn.
A brief but heartfelt thanks to my Grandfather who was aeronautical engineer. I think that I got the "airplane gene" from him. Grandpa, I know that you are smiling down on me as you fly in favorable tail winds.
Saving the best and most important for last, I'd like to thank all of you who read my blog. Without you none of this is possible.
Monday, July 07, 2014
Reflections on writing this blog (1 of 2)
I am pausing for a couple of days to take some time to share some personal reflections on writing this blog.
About ten years ago this coming fall I decided that I wanted to switch gears and focus on writing full time. I had a couple of writing projects that kept me occupied for the next year or so but those projects ended sometime in early 2006. I floundered for a few months wondering where my writing would take me. I started this blog in late June 2006. A few months later, I got interested in Malawi, a country on the east coast of Africa through some acquaintances. In April 2007 I was invited to accompany a group from California for a two-week trip to Malawi, and began writing about my then upcoming trip to Malawi around the same time (April 2007).
By the time I left for Malawi, I felt that the best way that I could share my experiences in Malawi was through this blog, so as internet connections allowed, I kept up with my blog for the two weeks of my travels. I had enough material to keep writing about Malawi in this blog through December 2007.
This time of year I always find myself reflecting on my time in Malawi because I spent the last two weeks of June 2007 in Malawi. While what I could write about Malawi seems limited and in someways wholly inadequate, I am very glad that I went. Don't get me wrong, I often think of the people that I met in Malawi, at a couple of times a month and often more. It was a life changing experience. I traveled with a great group of people, and I think of them often.
One of the women I met in Malawi, a minister's wife I believe told me something that I have never forgotten. Our visit was less than two years after Katrina hit New Orleans and environs. She said to us:
"We prayed for you after Katrina hit. You (in America) aren't used to the devastation that Katrina brought you. We are used to that kind of devastation." I've never forgotten that. Nothing I could say, I wiped a couple of tears from my eyes and gave her a hug.
When I wrote my last article on Malawi, actually a moving on piece in January 2008, I had no idea what I was going to write about next. I had a real hard time writing anything in my blog for a few weeks. I finally gave myself an exercise about writing about extraordinary ordinary things. A simple exercise that got me back into writing this blog. Sort of.
Then came the Basin Complex Fire in June 2008 and it is my interest in that wildfire because I had some acquaintances who lived in the affected area that ultimately lead me to write about aerial wildland firefighting. More on that on Wednesday, July 9.
Saturday, July 05, 2014
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
New Hampshire Wildland Firefighters honor fallen AZ and CO wildland firefighters
A report from WMUR in New Hampshire came across my desk yesterday. Wildland Firefighters in New Hampshire honored the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots (Yarnell Hill) this past Monday, and will honor the 14 fallen South Canyon wildland firefighters on July 6. It was not my intention to post another tribute, as I made my tribute the other day. I have strong ties to New England, so I was very touched when I read the report and watched the video (which I can not embed here). So, I wanted to share the report with you. If you are so inclined, please take about three minutes to watch the video and read the report.
WMUR on honoring 19 who died at Yarnell Hill
For all of you traveling the coming holiday weekend here in America, stay safe.
WMUR on honoring 19 who died at Yarnell Hill
For all of you traveling the coming holiday weekend here in America, stay safe.
Monday, June 30, 2014
I remember fallen firefighters
Today I am pausing to remember all wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air, who have died in the line of duty. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You died leaving family, friends, and colleagues who loved you. You died working to keep us safe from wildfires. I remember you and those you left behind -- your family, friends, and colleagues.
Among those wildland firefighters who died the week of July 1 to July 7 since 2000 are:
And those incidents over the last twenty years where multiple wildland firefighters lost their lives this week (June 30 to July 6)
AZ Yarnell Hill 19 on June 30, 2013
SD MAFFS 7 (4 lives lost, 2 survivors) on July 1, 2012. The four who lost their lives are:
South Canyon / Storm King CO (14 lives lost) on July 6, 1994
Note: I referenced Always Remembered in compiling the list of the fallen that I mention here.
Among those wildland firefighters who died the week of July 1 to July 7 since 2000 are:
- Alan Wyatt July 2, 2002, age 51, Missionary Ridge Fire (OR)
- Raymond Peterman age 62, Incident date- July 4, 2003 (heart attack), died on Jan 17, 2004 from complications following triple bypass surgery
- Dennise Leslie on July 2, 2007, Age 37, Coal City Community Volunteer FD, IN
- John Hermo on July 7, 2008, age 33, drowning while assigned to the Hells Half Complex (CA)
- Robert Roland on July 2, 2008, age 63, Oso Fire (CA).
- Caleb Hamm, on July 7, 2011, age 23, CR 337 Fire, TX.
And those incidents over the last twenty years where multiple wildland firefighters lost their lives this week (June 30 to July 6)
AZ Yarnell Hill 19 on June 30, 2013
- Andrew Ashcraft, age 29
- Robert Caldwell, age 23
- Travis Carter, age 31
- Dustin Deford, age 24
- Christopher MacKenzie, age 30
- Eric Marsh, age 43
- Grant McKee, age 21
- Sean Misner, age 26
- Scott Norris, age 28
- Wade Parker, age 22
- John Percin, age 24
- Anthony Rose, age 23
- Jesse Steed, age 36
- Joe Thurston, age 32
- Travis Turbyfill, age 27
- William Warneke,age 25
- Clayton Whitted, age 28
- Kevin Woyjeck, age 21
- Garret Zuppiger, age 27
SD MAFFS 7 (4 lives lost, 2 survivors) on July 1, 2012. The four who lost their lives are:
- Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, age 42
- Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, age 36
- Maj. Ryan S. David, age 35
- Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon, age 50
South Canyon / Storm King CO (14 lives lost) on July 6, 1994
- Kathi Julie Beck, age 24
- Tamera "Tami" Jean Bickett, age 25
- Scott A. Blecha, age 27
- Robert E. Browning Jr., age 28
- Levi Brinkley, age 22
- Douglas Michael Dunbar, age 22
- Terri Ann Hagen, age 28
- Bonnie Jean Holtby, age 21
- Robert Alan Johnson, age 26
- Jon Roy Kelso, age 27
- Donald K. Mackey, age 34
- Roger W. Roth, age 31
- James R. Thrash, age 44
- Richard Tyler, age 33
Friday, June 27, 2014
Why are METARs and TAFs coded?
It took a little doing but I finally found an answer to the question posed by an anonymous reader after reading this article on TAFs that I wrote on March 2, March 2012.
I literally stumbled upon the following website from the National Climatic Data Center a couple of days ago: METAR/TAF Information Page, probably written some time before July 1, 1996. This webpage provided me with a link to their Program Overview Page that I hope is at least a partial answer, based on conditions in 1996, to the question on why coding is still used: (1) METARs and TAFs are in standard use globally, at least by the majority of countries meaning a standard set of inputs for global weather models and also benefiting pilots, and (2) using plain english even in todays era of high speed computers and communications would overwhelm weather related communications infrastructure.
I am basing my response to the question on why are TAFs/METARs coded in the first place on the METAR/TAF Information-Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information: Program Overview Page from the National Climatic Data Center (obtained on June 25, 2014). I hope that those of you are interested will read the entire METAR/TAF Information Program Overview. I'll be summarizing and quoting salient sections here.
On July 1, 1996 the United States adopted METAR and TAF coding, the final step in the transition to this coding. METAR and TAF coding represented a major change, replacing older coding for airport surface weather observations and terminal forecasts that dated back to the early 1950s.
The following explanation explains why the change to the standardize METAR and TAF coding was important:
On the matter of overwhelming 1996 communications infrastructure, I am not exactly in a position to speak to whether or not the same applies in 2014.
Are there other answers to the question on why METARs and TAFs are coded that I don't know about? Perhaps. Answers that I am unaware of speaking to conditions in 2014? Perhaps. Nor am I in a position to speculate here about the rational for coding that predated the adoption of METARs and TAFs in 1996. But for now, after spending two more days earlier this week reading a variety of information on the history of aviation weather forecasting and weather forecasting, I am glad to have even a partial answer for you.
© 2014 randomramblingsnj
Why are TAFs and METARs coded in the first place? (see my article of June 16, 2014)
I literally stumbled upon the following website from the National Climatic Data Center a couple of days ago: METAR/TAF Information Page, probably written some time before July 1, 1996. This webpage provided me with a link to their Program Overview Page that I hope is at least a partial answer, based on conditions in 1996, to the question on why coding is still used: (1) METARs and TAFs are in standard use globally, at least by the majority of countries meaning a standard set of inputs for global weather models and also benefiting pilots, and (2) using plain english even in todays era of high speed computers and communications would overwhelm weather related communications infrastructure.
I am basing my response to the question on why are TAFs/METARs coded in the first place on the METAR/TAF Information-Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information: Program Overview Page from the National Climatic Data Center (obtained on June 25, 2014). I hope that those of you are interested will read the entire METAR/TAF Information Program Overview. I'll be summarizing and quoting salient sections here.
On July 1, 1996 the United States adopted METAR and TAF coding, the final step in the transition to this coding. METAR and TAF coding represented a major change, replacing older coding for airport surface weather observations and terminal forecasts that dated back to the early 1950s.
The following explanation explains why the change to the standardize METAR and TAF coding was important:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which determines aviation requirements in the United States, has determined that the domestic transition to the METAR/TAF code is vital to the standardization of these reports worldwide. The National Weather Service (NWS) and Department of Defense (DOD) are complying with this requirement. The benefits of having the U.S. standardize to these new code formats are as follows. Hourly and special observations are used both as stand alone data for the sites and as inputs to global weather models for both analysis and forecasting. It is this global use of each small bit of information which drives the need for standardization. Additionally, the increase in international flights between the U.S. and other nations from more U.S. locations than ever before lends itself to developing a more "seamless" international standard for aviation. Moreover, standardization becomes vital for the general aviation community for flights from the U.S. to Canada, the Caribbean Area, and Mexico (METAR/TAF Information -- Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information: Program Overview accessed on June 25, 2014 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/wdc/metar/index.php?name=overview).As for why plain english is not used, the METAR/TAF Information -- Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information Program Overview page from the National Climatic Data Center (probably written a few months prior to July 1, 1996 when the older coding was still in use) has this to say:
Despite all the high speed computers and communications that we have today a weather code is still required but is nothing new. The current SA code has been in place for over 40 years, and the conversion to METAR is a follow-on which is not very different. As for having these products reported in a plain language format, this is not feasible. Despite the advances in today's technology, the communication circuits used for transmitting the large and diverse suite of meteorological products (radar, upper air, climatological data, forecasts, watches, warnings, outlooks, etc.) have a finite capacity. The conversion to a plain language format for thousands of domestic and international observations that are generated each hour of the day is impractical and would easily overwhelm our meteorological communication circuits. However, having now standardized to a considerable extent does allow computer programs to expand the "code" into plain language. (METAR/TAF Information -- Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information: Program Overview accessed on June 25, 2014 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/wdc/metar/index.php?name=overview).I suspect, but am not certain that the need for a standard international format for TAFs and METARs still exist today. As I understand it, global weather models continue to be used so I would think that the need for standardized inputs remain. And international air travels continues.
On the matter of overwhelming 1996 communications infrastructure, I am not exactly in a position to speak to whether or not the same applies in 2014.
Are there other answers to the question on why METARs and TAFs are coded that I don't know about? Perhaps. Answers that I am unaware of speaking to conditions in 2014? Perhaps. Nor am I in a position to speculate here about the rational for coding that predated the adoption of METARs and TAFs in 1996. But for now, after spending two more days earlier this week reading a variety of information on the history of aviation weather forecasting and weather forecasting, I am glad to have even a partial answer for you.
© 2014 randomramblingsnj
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Watching Eagles
About three years ago I posted an article where I shared a couple of nice videos about birds in flight, including a video of the flight of two young eagles. The videos aren't long and I hope that you go and take a look at them. Here is another video, which I may have posted some time back on my videos of the week page, however it is worth repeating. I love watching raptors in flight, every so often I see a Red Tail Hawk, usually sitting on a pole. But every so often I see them while they are hunting. And I've seen eagles on some of my scenic flights, always awesome.
Birds just fly.
direct link to video
Birds just fly.
direct link to video
Monday, June 23, 2014
Braynt Fire (OR) - Tanker activity
Some of you will recall that from the end of 2009 into the first 2010, I wrote several articles on DC-7 tanker 62 thanks to the help of her Captain, Larry Kraus (Thanks Larry!) and several more articles with photos or videos on DC-7 tankers in action may be found here. You could say that I have a special fondness of the DC-7 tankers so I am always on the look out for any news about the sevens, especially T-62.
Over the weekend I first heard about the Bryant Fire (inch web), started on Thursday, June 19 that has burned 1,361 acres and is at 45 percent containment as I write this. You might also want to read updates on the Bryant Fire from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), where the latest ODF update was posted at 8AM PDT on June 23.
Around the same time, I heard from a couple of reliable sources that T-62 had flown the Bryant Fire. I have no specific information to link to regarding tanker 62's activities on the fire. But I do know from reading the ODF June 22 blog entry about tanker and helo activity over the Bryant Fire on Saturday, June 21st:
Here are a couple of articles on the Bryant Fire from local media outlets:
Other Links
Over the weekend I first heard about the Bryant Fire (inch web), started on Thursday, June 19 that has burned 1,361 acres and is at 45 percent containment as I write this. You might also want to read updates on the Bryant Fire from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), where the latest ODF update was posted at 8AM PDT on June 23.
Around the same time, I heard from a couple of reliable sources that T-62 had flown the Bryant Fire. I have no specific information to link to regarding tanker 62's activities on the fire. But I do know from reading the ODF June 22 blog entry about tanker and helo activity over the Bryant Fire on Saturday, June 21st:
sixteen loads of retardant were dropped from large air tankers and eight loads were dropped from small Single Engine Airtankers known as SEATs. Helicopters were extremely busy all day long responding to fire fighters requests for drops on the hottest spots.The inciweb photo page for the Bryant Fire has a couple of photos of Neptune's BAe-146 T-10 dropping on the fire.
Here are a couple of articles on the Bryant Fire from local media outlets:
Other Links
Friday, June 20, 2014
Coulson Aviation USA- C-130Q
Coulson's C-130Q next generation tanker, T-131 (tank capacity of 3,500 gallons), began flying fires in September 2013, see this article from the Times Alberni Valley (9/18/13).
In preparing this article, I found a couple of sources of information about Coulson's C-130Q tanker. The first is an interview with Wayne Coulson (of Coulson Aviation USA) by Tony Morris on Associated Aerial Firefighters (8/21/13) including a discussion of the tank system and specifications of the C-130Q (Tanker 131). According to Coulson,
the desired drop speed is 124 to 130 kts. … The desired drop height is approximately 200 ft.
The second document is a presentation Wayne Coulson made on October 22, 2013 at the 2013 Hercules Operators Council, the presentation is chock full of all kinds of information about the C-130Q tanker and is found here (pdf file for download).
Finally, here are a couple of more links on the C-130Q tanker that I referenced in my Airtankers 101 page that you might want to check out:
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Minden T-48 emergency landing (6/15/14)
Minden's Tanker 48, a Lockheed P-2V, made an emergency landing on Sunday night (June 15) in Fresno, CA after working the Shirley Fire. I am happy that both pilots survived and are uninjured. Kudos to the pilots! I don't know how long T-48 will be out of service. For more information see this report and video from Mynews4 in Reno NV.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
DC-10 Tankers -- Two on contract and a third coming later in 2014
In case you are wondering about the status of 10 Tanker Air Carrier's third DC-10 that the will have on contract later this year, 10 Tanker Air Carrier has an update on their homepage (as of June 18, 2014) where they report that their third DC-10 is currently under construction and is 75% complete. 10 Tanker has an information page on the DC-10 tanker (capable of carrying up to 11,600 gallons of retardant.
According to 10 Tanker's Facebook Page the Shirley Fire is but one of the many 2014 wildfires that one or both of the two DC-10 Tankers on contract (T-910 and T-911) have worked this year. The DC-10 Tankers with their range and their ability to carry up to 11,600 gallons of retardant are an important part of the airtanker fleet. I look forward to having a third DC-10 on contract later this year.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Aviation Weather Forecasts: Revisiting METAR/TAF coding
Over two years ago I wrote a couple of articles on the coding used in certain aviation weather forecast products -- METARS and TAFs. My intention being to share a little about what I had learned about the aviation weather products that I sometimes use. Some of you know that I am not a pilot, so I engage pilots to take me on scenic flights. Nonetheless, I do want to take a look at weather forecasts and current weather conditions before going on scenic flights. It is sort of fun for me.
As I hope that I wrote about in those articles, the coding used in METARS and TAFs is not intuitive and takes some getting used to. Student pilots studying to be private pilots have to learn the coding used in these two aviation weather products along with other aviation weather products as a part of their preparation to take the required FAA exams before obtaining their private pilot's license.
What I failed to consider when writing the two articles that I am referring to in this article is whyTAFs and METARs are coded in the first place. Someone asked me this very question (which I have rewritten here) a few days ago:
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?".
As I hope that I wrote about in those articles, the coding used in METARS and TAFs is not intuitive and takes some getting used to. Student pilots studying to be private pilots have to learn the coding used in these two aviation weather products along with other aviation weather products as a part of their preparation to take the required FAA exams before obtaining their private pilot's license.
What I failed to consider when writing the two articles that I am referring to in this article is whyTAFs and METARs are coded in the first place. Someone asked me this very question (which I have rewritten here) a few days ago:
Why are the TAFs and METARs coded in the first place?I have spent several hours over the last few days trying to find an answer to this very good question. So far, I have some ideas, but I have been unsuccessful. I have real answer to why the TAFs and METARs are coded in the first place nor do I know for certain the origins of this coding. I am going to keep looking for an answer.
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?".
Friday, June 13, 2014
Aero Flite's CL-415 T-260
For reasons that I'll share momentarily, I have found myself thinking about Aero Flite's CL-415, T-260 (N389AC) that is on contract with the US Forest Service. As you may recall, the US Forest Service awarded a five year contract to Aero-Flite for one CL-415 scooper. The CL-415's tank capacity is 1,600 gallons, see Fire Aviation's 10/29/13 article on the Aero-Flite Contract.
I know, from Fire Aviation on May 8th, that T-260 worked the wildfires in Oklahoma in early May. Anther media reports on T-260 at the Oklahoma Fires (with pictures) may be found on NewsOk (5/10/14).
I have at least briefly mentioned most (if not all) of what I have written in about T-260 in this article on my Airtankers101 Page. What got me thinking about the CL-415 is a short article that came across my desk a couple of weeks ago from WZZM13 ABC on May 30, 3014 who reported that on May 30th, the CL-415 tanker was stationed in or near the Huron-Manistee National Forests (northern lower peninsula of Michigan). I have been trying, without much success so far, to find out if she is still in the lower peninsula of Michigan.
I liked thinking about her being here in the east, at least for a short of time. So I felt moved to write this article about her because she was in Michigan ready to work fires. And where ever she is today as I write this, she and her crew are ready to work fires in support of the crews on the ground. To her crew: thank-you and stay safe.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Two Bulls Fire, Bend Oregon
direct link to video
In the video that I have embedded above, you will see tankers departing the tanker base at Redmond, OR on June 8 to fight the Two Bulls Fire. You will see one or two of Erickson Aero Tanker's MD-87 tankers, a BAe-146, and one of Neptune Aviation's Lockheed P-2Vs. Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation shared the video on June 9th and has provided additional coverage of the Two Bulls Fire here and here (Wedding relocated due to Two Bulls Fire).
According to the latest information available from inciweb on the Two Bulls Fire, the fire which started on June 7, has burned 6,906 acres and is at 40 percent containment as I write this. Helos and air tankers have worked the fire
Time Lapse Video of Two Bulls Fire from Eyeonbend
Other articles on Two Bulls Fire
photo of MD-87 T-101 on Fire Aviation
Oregon Live (06/10/14) with photo gallery
KGW (06/09/14) Human caused, reward (with video)
KGW on Erickson Aero Tankers working Two Bulls Fire
Oregon Live (06/09/14, time-lapse video that I embedded above)
Note: I've been have intermittent trouble with watching some videos on youtube, it seems to be a problem between my ISP and Google/You Tube. I have been able to watch the videos that I embedded here. If they don't work for you, I'm sorry. Sometimes if I try back later in the day I can watch a You Tube video that I was unable to watch earlier.
Monday, June 09, 2014
Tanker (Type 1 and 2) Update (US)
It has been quite awhile since I wrote an article with an update on the number of Tankers on Federal Contract here in America. I am referring to what some call large or heavy tankers. Specifically I am talking about Type 1 Tankers (minimum retardant capacity of 3,000 gallons) and Type 2 Tankers retardant capacity of 1,800 gallons to 2,999 gallons). Please bear with me as I'm going to take you through the process I went through in learning about the number of Type 1 and 2 Tankers that will be or expected to be on contract here in the U.S. in 2014.
Some of you know that in prior years I have shared, when available, that year's Federal Contract Airtanker List available from the National Interagency Coordination Center's Logistics-Aviation Page. While useful information for me to have, I'm not posting the 2014 Federal Contractor Airtanker List (as of May 12, 2014) because the latest information that I found on the number of Airtankers currently or expected to be on contract this year supersedes the May 12th list.
Ok, moving on. I first learned from Fire Avaition on May 20th that the US Forest Service was adding more BAe-146 Airtankers and a DC-10 on Federal Contract this year. The US Forest Service issued a news release to that effect on May 20, 2014, also including a link to an infographic on the 2014 aerial firefighting fleet. Simply, the USFS is saying that there will be 21 large tankers on federal contract this year. Unfortunately, I could not find the infographic on the USFS site, but Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation shared a portion the infographic on Fire Aviation in another May 20th article.
In the third week of May, I knew about Neptune Aviations (6) and Minden's (1) P2-V tankers, Neptune's BAe-146 tankers (4 including one on legacy contract), Coulson's C-130Q, and the three DC-10 tankers (two on contract, one expected to be on contract later this summer). I found a nice article from the Missoulian on May 20th summarizing the USFS News Release (cited earlier) with a focus on Neptune Aviation. So, I knew that we will have 21 large Tankers (type 1 and 2 Tankers) on contract this year, that would include additional Next Generation Tankers -- Erickson Aero Tanker, Minden, and Aero Flite -- but I knew no details about the Tankers from Erickson Aero, Minden, and Aero Flite.
Fortunately I did not have to try to figure out the answers to my questions on my own as Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation posted a wonderful article on June 3rd detailing the number of tankers that are expected to be on federal contract this year along with a nice graphic where he summarizes large tankers (by vendor, type tanker number and remarks) that are or are expected to be on federal contract in 2014. If you haven't already done so, you will want to go and read Bill's article. According to Bill,
Erickson Aero Tanker's T-101 went on contract on June 4 with T-105 going on contract on June 8 (See Fire Aviation's June 5th article. Bill Gabbert has provided additional coverage of Erickson Aero Tanker's MD-87 working the Two Bull's Fire in Oregon on June 8th.
Update on June 19, 2014: on Sunday night, June 15, Minden's Tanker-48 made an emergency landing in Fresno CA. The crew survived, but it is unknown how long T-48 will be out of commission. While she is out of commission, this decreases the number of available tankers by one to 20 large tankers or possibly 22 large tankers.
Some of you know that in prior years I have shared, when available, that year's Federal Contract Airtanker List available from the National Interagency Coordination Center's Logistics-Aviation Page. While useful information for me to have, I'm not posting the 2014 Federal Contractor Airtanker List (as of May 12, 2014) because the latest information that I found on the number of Airtankers currently or expected to be on contract this year supersedes the May 12th list.
Ok, moving on. I first learned from Fire Avaition on May 20th that the US Forest Service was adding more BAe-146 Airtankers and a DC-10 on Federal Contract this year. The US Forest Service issued a news release to that effect on May 20, 2014, also including a link to an infographic on the 2014 aerial firefighting fleet. Simply, the USFS is saying that there will be 21 large tankers on federal contract this year. Unfortunately, I could not find the infographic on the USFS site, but Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation shared a portion the infographic on Fire Aviation in another May 20th article.
In the third week of May, I knew about Neptune Aviations (6) and Minden's (1) P2-V tankers, Neptune's BAe-146 tankers (4 including one on legacy contract), Coulson's C-130Q, and the three DC-10 tankers (two on contract, one expected to be on contract later this summer). I found a nice article from the Missoulian on May 20th summarizing the USFS News Release (cited earlier) with a focus on Neptune Aviation. So, I knew that we will have 21 large Tankers (type 1 and 2 Tankers) on contract this year, that would include additional Next Generation Tankers -- Erickson Aero Tanker, Minden, and Aero Flite -- but I knew no details about the Tankers from Erickson Aero, Minden, and Aero Flite.
Fortunately I did not have to try to figure out the answers to my questions on my own as Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation posted a wonderful article on June 3rd detailing the number of tankers that are expected to be on federal contract this year along with a nice graphic where he summarizes large tankers (by vendor, type tanker number and remarks) that are or are expected to be on federal contract in 2014. If you haven't already done so, you will want to go and read Bill's article. According to Bill,
The U.S. Forest Service could have, with the stroke of a pen, a total of 23 large air tankers flying this summer. ( Number of air tankers increase for the first time since 2007 )That would be great news to have 21 large Tankers on contracts and 2 more that could be on contract if everything works out for a total of 23 large Tankers.
Erickson Aero Tanker's T-101 went on contract on June 4 with T-105 going on contract on June 8 (See Fire Aviation's June 5th article. Bill Gabbert has provided additional coverage of Erickson Aero Tanker's MD-87 working the Two Bull's Fire in Oregon on June 8th.
Update on June 19, 2014: on Sunday night, June 15, Minden's Tanker-48 made an emergency landing in Fresno CA. The crew survived, but it is unknown how long T-48 will be out of commission. While she is out of commission, this decreases the number of available tankers by one to 20 large tankers or possibly 22 large tankers.
Friday, June 06, 2014
Reflections on willdland firefighting following the Slide Fire (AZ)
I realize that I'm a little late in this, but I have spent some time thinking about the Slide Fire, which burned over 21,000 acres in and around Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona. The fire is now 100 percent contained. Perhaps you have read Bill Gabbert's coverage of the Slide Creek Fire on Wildfire Today and/or followed the Wildland Fire Hotlist thread on the fire or perhaps you followed the fire on the media outlets local to the area. Examples of local and national media coverage of the Slide Fire include:
Yahoo News (AP) on May 22
CNN on May 24, with pictures
MYFoxPhoenix (May 22, with video of damage)
WAFB (posted May 20, updated June 4, pictures and raw video)
Finally, you might also want to check out Bill Gabbert's coverage of the discovery of an historic site by wildland firefighters working the Slide Fire.
Perhaps this particular fire touched home to me because I visited Oak Creek Canyon twenty years ago now, spending half a day there with one of my buddies while we attended a conference in Tempe, Arizona. Now spending what may only amount to a couple of hours in Oak Creek Canyon and another couple of hours in Sedona hardly makes me an expert in the geography of the region. However, my visit left an impression on me. So when I first heard about the Slide Fire, I found myself remembering the Canyon that I visited, albeit briefly, twenty years ago.
To tie this into wildland firefighting, I thought about the wildland firefighting crews, both in the air and on the ground who worked the Slide Fire. I had a picture in my mind, which may or may not have been correct, of ground crews working the fire in the Canyon I had visited all those years ago. My buddy and I may even have driven the local road mentioned in the reports. Various engine crews, and ground crews. Over four hundred firefighters on the ground working the fire in steep terrain doing what you do best, fighting wildfires. I don't have to seen videos or to be on scene to know of the hard work that you did.
I know that there were various aerial resources working the fire, helicopters and tankers. But I have no details. Doesn't matter. You were there working to support the crews on the ground. A team effort, crews on the ground and in the air.
I appreciate all that you did on the Slide Fire. You won't be forgotten. I appreciate all the work that wildland firefighters do in America and globally. Thank-you.
Yahoo News (AP) on May 22
CNN on May 24, with pictures
MYFoxPhoenix (May 22, with video of damage)
WAFB (posted May 20, updated June 4, pictures and raw video)
Finally, you might also want to check out Bill Gabbert's coverage of the discovery of an historic site by wildland firefighters working the Slide Fire.
Perhaps this particular fire touched home to me because I visited Oak Creek Canyon twenty years ago now, spending half a day there with one of my buddies while we attended a conference in Tempe, Arizona. Now spending what may only amount to a couple of hours in Oak Creek Canyon and another couple of hours in Sedona hardly makes me an expert in the geography of the region. However, my visit left an impression on me. So when I first heard about the Slide Fire, I found myself remembering the Canyon that I visited, albeit briefly, twenty years ago.
To tie this into wildland firefighting, I thought about the wildland firefighting crews, both in the air and on the ground who worked the Slide Fire. I had a picture in my mind, which may or may not have been correct, of ground crews working the fire in the Canyon I had visited all those years ago. My buddy and I may even have driven the local road mentioned in the reports. Various engine crews, and ground crews. Over four hundred firefighters on the ground working the fire in steep terrain doing what you do best, fighting wildfires. I don't have to seen videos or to be on scene to know of the hard work that you did.
I know that there were various aerial resources working the fire, helicopters and tankers. But I have no details. Doesn't matter. You were there working to support the crews on the ground. A team effort, crews on the ground and in the air.
I appreciate all that you did on the Slide Fire. You won't be forgotten. I appreciate all the work that wildland firefighters do in America and globally. Thank-you.
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
About chainsaws in wildland firefighting and safety factors
I've been sharing videos from the National Interagency Fire Center. Today's video is called Chainsaws and Human Factors - 2013 Refresher. In some ways this training video is more about human factors that wildland firefighters using chain saws and less about how to use a chain saw. I post it here because it interested me and because I thought the discussion on human factors was something that I can relate to. I may not do anything as risky as using a chainsaw, however I am am reminded about considering human factors such as various distractions in some of my day to day activities to stay safe (driving, or using tools). Allow about fourteen minutes for the video.
direct link to video
direct link to video
Monday, June 02, 2014
Wildland Fire Engines -- Up Close
I've been sharing videos from the National Interagency Fire Center. Today's video is called The Mighty Engine, you will learn about engines used for wildland firefighting. Allow about 12 minutes for the video.
direct link to video
direct link to video
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