Red Flag Warning in northern and central NJ

Red Flag Warning in northern and central NJ and portions of eastern PA issued by the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly NJ at 9:32 AM through this evening at 7 PM. If I am not mistaken, this is the first Red Flag Warning of the season. The NY Office of the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warning for northeastern NJ, NYC, Long Island and southeastern NY.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
932 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015


NJZ001-007>010-012>015-PAZ054-055-060>062-070-071-101>106-152300-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FW.W.0001.150415T1332Z-150415T2300Z/
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-
LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-
EASTERN CHESTER-WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-
LOWER BUCKS-
932 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* AREAS AFFECTED... EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
  NEW JERSEY

* WIND... GUSTS AROUND 20 KNOTS THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE DAY.

* HUMIDITY... FALLING TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 PERCENT THROUGHOUT THE
  REMAINDER OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP MAY QUICKLY GET OUT OF CONTROL
  AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY DUE TO A COMBINATION
OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND DRY FUELS. ANY
FIRES THAT DEVELOP MAY QUICKLY GET OUT OF CONTROL AND BECOME
DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER...BURN
RESTRICTIONS...AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION...PLEASE
VISIT YOUR STATE FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

The NY Office of the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning at 11:03 for northeastern NJ, and the following counties in southeast NY: Putnam, Orange, Rockland, and northern Westchester.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
1103 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD TODAY...

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>070-152300-
/O.NEW.KOKX.FW.W.0001.150415T1503Z-150415T2300Z/
WESTERN PASSAIC-EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-
EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-
EASTERN UNION-ORANGE-PUTNAM-ROCKLAND-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER-
1103 AM EDT WED APR 15 2015

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* AREAS AFFECTED...LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY

* WINDS...GUSTS AROUND 25 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TIMING...THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING.

* IMPACTS...RAPID FIRE SPREAD IF IGNITION OCCURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANTLY
ELEVATED FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Red Flag Warnings are also in place for areas of New England.

Stay safe out there.

NJ Forest Fire Service online scanners and a tanker video

I've spent an hour or so this morning and again as I write this listening to the online scanner feed from NJ Forest Fire Service Division A. This is always educational. For example, I heard some reports this morning from the guys in the fire towers in Division A and another report saying a fire (missed the location) was under control. There is online scanner feed for NJ Forest Fire Service Division B and Division C. I can pick up some of the feed from Division B on the Division A scanner. For example, I just heard a report from the firetower in Jamesburg (Middlesex County NJ) reporting on a structure fire in South Amboy (Middlesex County NJ).

Before going, I'd like to share a short tanker video. As I've been writing this blog for six years now, I believe that I have shared this video before. But I liked it, enjoying seeing a variety of tankers and some helos including some now historic videos of Aero Union's P-3 Orions. I never tire of watching tankers and helos in action.

direct link to video



For all my friends working fires on the ground or in the air as well as all those who support you, stay safe out there. And thanks for all you do to keep us safe.

Update on April 6th brushfire in Tewksbury NJ

I wrote about the April 6th brushfire in Tewksbury NJ the other day where two firefighters were injured. The Hunterdon Democrat reported on April 7th was released from the hospital later that same night. He returned for additional testing the next day and is reported to be fine. Thank goodness. There is no information available on the second firefighter that the Tewksbury Police reported was injured fighting the brush fire.

About Neptune Aviation in 2015

Neptune Aviation has submitted a bid for the current round of Next Generation large firefighting aircraft. They expect to have six BAe-146 tankers ready to fly fires by June. It is anticipated that awards under this contract will be awarded in early May witht the expectation that tankers under this contract will be ready to fly in the first day of the mandatory availability period. Please this April 2nd article from The Missouian for more information.

Neptune Aviation has six P2-V Neptunes and one BAe-146 tanker on contract under a Legacy Contract with the US Forest Service (Fire Aviation on March 25, 2015 and November 23, 2014

Here are two videos from Neptune Aviation that I thought you might enjoy looking at.

I shared this 2014 video from Neptune Aviation in a video of the week post sometime last year. I don't know about you, but I like reruns. Great airplanes with a nice soundtrack.


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

And here is the 2015 video from Neptune Aviation, just published April 6, 2015


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

NJ Forest Fire Service - Northern NJ (Div A) on April 6

After I posted my April 6th article on enhanced fire danger in New Jersey, I found out that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Conducted a few prescribed burns in northern New Jersey (Division A) on April 6th (obtained from New Jersey Forests Facebook page):

Ringwood State Park, 33 acres grass
Waywayanda State Park, 150 acres grass
Kittatinny Valley State, 50 acres grass
Whittingham WMA, 200 acres grass
Six Mile Run State Park, 300 acres grass

Just yesterday I heard that there was a 21 acre brush fire in Hunterdon County NJ that came close to at least one home in Tewksbury on April 6th. Recall that there was enhanced fire danger on April 6th. Firefighters from Tewksbury and nearby towns along with firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled the blaze. According to a April 7th Hunterdon Democrat article (with photos)  the fire was started when a homeowner accidently dropped a blow torch that ignited some leaves. Two firefighters were injured. 

There have been showers in New Jersey yesterday afternoon and today. 

Enhanced Fire Danger continues in NJ

Knowing that it was somewhat windy yesterday and wondering about fire danger, I went to some local media outlets to see what was going on. It turns out that the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly had issued a warning for enhanced fire danger yesterday. I found an article on the Asbury Park Press website yesterday (April 5th) reporting on this warning along and some brush fires, some were small on Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Ocean Counties. I don't know about wildland (brush) fires in other parts of New Jersey.

Enhanced Fire Danger continues today, Monday April 6th. The National Weather Service at Mt. Holly, NJ issued this special weather statement at 10:46 AM on April 6th covering most of New Jersey, Delaware, the eastern shore of Maryland and adjoining areas of Pennsylvannia.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 1046 AM EDT MON APR 6 2015

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054- 055-060>062-070-071-101>106-062300- NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD- QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-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-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH- NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER- WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN... REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON... DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON... SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK...TRENTON... PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN... MOUNT HOLLY...JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON... CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY... LONG BEACH ISLAND...WHARTON STATE FOREST...JIM THORPE... STROUDSBURG...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA... PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER... KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN... LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN 1046 AM EDT MON APR 6 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON...

LOW AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS, A GUSTY SOUTHWEST WIND AND DRY FINE FUELS WILL CREATE AN ELEVATED RISK FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES IN OUR REGION THIS AFTERNOON.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WILDFIRE DANGER, BURN RESTRICTIONS, WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PLEASE VISIT YOUR STATE FORESTRY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE.

The National Weather Service for New York, NY has issued a special weather statement for enhanced fire danger for northeast New Jersey and Staten Island (NYC) at 12:10 PM.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 1210 PM EDT MON APR 6 2015

NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ074-062300- WESTERN PASSAIC-EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN- EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION- EASTERN UNION-RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)- 1210 PM EDT MON APR 6 2015

...ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND STATEN ISLAND...

SOUTHWEST WINDS GUSTING UP TO 20 MPH...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES DROPPING TO NEAR 30 PERCENT...AND DRY FINE FUELS WILL RESULT IN AN ENHANCED RISK FOR THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF ANY WILDFIRES THAT DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON.

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH ANY OUTDOOR BURNING OR DISCARDING OF SMOKING MATERIALS.

RIP: two dead in March 30th crash of USFS contracted Bell 206L-1

A Bell 206 L-1 Helicopter crashed on Monday afternoon March 30th while working an 800-acre prescribed burn 25 miles west of Biloxi, Mississippi. The crew of the Bell was performing aerial ignition operations on the prescribed fire in the DeSoto National Forest when the crash occurred. The Bell had one pilot and additional crew of two US Forest Service firefighters. Two died and one crew survived. The surviving crew member was flown by a Life Flight Helicopter to a Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama where is currently in serious condition. See Always Remember (includes links to media reports and other information) for more information.

Gone but not forgotten are:

Brandon Ricks, pilot, 40 years old from Blanchard, OK.

Steven W. Cobb, US Forest Service Engineering Technician, 55 years old from Wiggins, MS.

Brandon and Steven, I know that you are loved by your family, friends, and colleagues who miss you and mourn your loss. Please know that many of us who don’t know you join them in mourning your loss.  May you always fly in favorable tail winds. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, colleagues and all who love you.

My thoughts and prayers are with the surviving crew member and his family and friends as he continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Enhanced Fire Danger for NJ this afternoon

From the National Weather Service Mt. Holly NJ, enhanced fire danger for Thursday, April 2 in NJ and portions of eastern PA (except the Poconos)

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-015>023-
027-PAZ060>062-070-071-101>106-022100-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-
SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-
CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-
PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-WESTERN MONTGOMERY-
EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...
REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON...
DENTON...NEWTON...WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON...
SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...TRENTON...PENNSVILLE...
GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...
WHARTON STATE FOREST...READING...ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...MEDIA...
PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...
KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...NORRISTOWN...
LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
411 AM EDT THU APR 2 2015

...ENHANCED WILDFIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS DELAWARE, MARYLAND`S
EASTERN SHORE, MUCH OF NEW JERSEY EXCEPT THE IMMEDIATE COAST AND
MUCH OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA EXCEPT THE POCONOS...

GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS TO 30 MPH THIS AFTERNOON WITH LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY AND RAPIDLY DRYING FINE FUELS WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN AN
ENHANCED RISK OF WILDFIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON.

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH ANY OUTDOOR BURNING OR DISCARDING OF
SMOKING MATERIALS.

Prescribed Burns in NJ (New Jersey Forest Fire Service) - Images

Since I have been posting recently on prescribed burns that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service have been conducting in central and southern New Jersey over the last couple of weeks, I want to embed a couple of videos that came to my attention recently. I thank my friends at the NJFFS Section B10 webpage for bringing both of these videos to my attention.

I'm not quite sure when the first video from the Asbury Park Press was shot, but I believe that the footage was shot recently. In this short video from the Asbury Park Press, you will get a good idea of what prescribed burns in New Jersey are all about. Edit on May 19, 2015. I had originally embedded the video here which was set to play automatically when this page was loaded into your browser. As having a video play automatically might interfere with your experience on this blog (and I was unable to change the embed code) I have removed the embed code. The direct link to video still works. It is a nice short video, under two minutes, please take the time to watch the video.

The second video is a little over seven minutes of footage of a prescribed burn conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10 in Old Bridge NJ on March 30.


direct link to video by William Rashak on YouTube

Just in - Large (Marsh) Brush Fire in Edison NJ

I was alerted to a large brush fire that is currently burning in a march in Edison (Middlesex County), NJ near an industrial complex when I was just on Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10; as I write this, you will find information about this fire about half-way down their home page under current NJ wildfire activity.

As I write this, according to Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10, crews from Division A (northern New Jersey) as well as fire departments from nearby towns are working this marsh fire reported at 75 acres at 4:43 PM EDT. One derelict building is involved. Helicopter Delta 6 and her bucket are currently working the fire. In addition, there is an observation helicopter, Delta 3 that flew the fire. Press reports on this fire may be found at New Jersey dot com (with a slide show) and Eyewitness News 7 (ABC) in NYC.

7:15 PM EDT update

CBS New York is reporting that firefighters have made progress in fighting the fire.


direct link to video and article from CBS New York

April 2, 3 PM update

Pete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10 is reporting that approximately 130 acres were burned and the fire, known as the Olympia Drive Fire, is 100% contained. The cause of the fire was determined to be from sparks from a passing train. Two storage trailers and a road grader were destroyed.

Prescribed Burns in NJ (NJ Forest Fire Service): March 31 and April 1

New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews continued to conduct prescribed burns on March 31 and April 1. I'm still not quite sure when the prescribed burning season will end this year.

A small map of New Jersey by county with a listing of counties in each of the three New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Divisions may be found here (scroll down a bit). A second map of New Jersey from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shows the boundaries of the three NJFFS Divisions, with the location of each Division Section may be found here.

March 31 -- approximately 150 acres (New Jersey Forest Face book post on March 31)
Ocean County
B7 Whiting Wildlife Management Area, Manchester Township – 20 Acres Grass

Monmouth County
B8 Allaire State Park, Wall Township – 100 Acres Grass

Camden County
C6 Winslow Wildlife Management Area, Winslow Township – 30 Acres Grass


April 1 (New Jersey Forest Face book post on April 1)
Burlington County
B3 Wharton State Forest in Tabernacle Township

B6 Brendan Bryne State Forest near Rt 530 at Rt 70 on the Manchester Ocean County/ Pemberton Township lines,19 acres forest

Ocean County
B4 Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area, Little Egg Harbor Township, near Route 539

Middlesex County
B10 Jamesburg County Park, East Brunswick, 50 acres forest

Prescribed Burns in NJ (NJ Forest Fire Service): March 29-30th

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues to conduct prescribed burns in the central and southern sections of NJ.

A small map of New Jersey by county with a listing of counties in each of the three New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Divisions may be found here (scroll down a bit). A second map of New Jersey from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shows the boundaries of the three NJFFS Divisions, with the location of each Division Section may be found here.

March 29 (obtained from New Jersey Forests Facebook post of Match 29)

Ocean County
Section B5, Greenwood WMA 150 acres of grass.
Near Rt 539, in Lacey, Barnegat, and Manchester Townships

Gloucester County
C9, Glassboro WMA, Glassboro, Grass

Atlantic County
C7, Galloway, Private Land 46 acres


March 30 (obtained from New Jersey Forests Facebook post of March 30)

Middlesex County
B10 Menino Park Old Bridge Township , Old Bridge Town Park in and near Rt 516 Old Bridge, 100 acres forest

Monmouth County
B8 Allaire State Park near Brisban Area of the Park in Wall Township, 100 acres of grass
B9 Assunpink WMA in Upper Freehold Township & Roosevelt near Rt 571. 100 acres of grass

Ocean County
B6 Manchester WMA near Rt 539 in Manchester Township
B4 Stafford Fordge WMA near Rt 539 and Fordge Rd in both Little Egg Harbor and Eaglewoods Townships

Eaglet born to a pair of Eagles in New Jersey

On a rainy day when there is no prescribed burns going on in New Jersey, I got to watch something very special almost an hour ago. Thanks to the wonders of web cams with live streams available on the internet I got to watch an eaglet (baby Eagle) being hatched.

There is a pair of Eagle that are nesting at Duke Farms located in Somerset County NJ. The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey in collaboration with Duke Farms has a webcam, known as the Eagle Cam, mounted over their nest.

Link to Eagle Cam

Two eggs were layed a little over five weeks ago. Egg # 1 hatched today at about 3:37 PM EDT. I was fortunate to be watching when the egg hatched. Words escape me. All I can say is that it was very special and a privilege to watch something so awe inspiring. I took some screen grabs as I was watching the live stream which I'll share with you.

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.21.43 PM

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.22.07 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.36.44 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.36.57 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.36.58 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 3.37.00 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 4.09.09 PM EDT

Duke Farms (NJ) Eagle Cam March 27, 2015 at 4..18.14 PM EDT

Prescribed Burns in NJ (NJ Forest Fire Service): March 24th & 25th

Prescribed burns conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) continue this week. There has been some light rain this afternoon up in north Jersey, where the NJFFS are not conducting prescribed burns. I don't know if the rain reached to the areas where prescribed burns were planned and if so whether the burns were able to continue or had to be postponed. Rain is forecast the next couple of days, so I don't know if there will be any more prescribed burns this week.

A small map of New Jersey by county with a listing of counties in each of the three New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Divisions may be found here (scroll down a bit). A second map of New Jersey from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shows the boundaries of the three NJFFS Divisions, with the location of each Division Section may be found here.

March 24 (316 acres)
Obtained from New Jersey Forest Facebook on Tuesday, March 24

Monmouth County
Section B-10, Manalapan, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 100 acres grass.

Atlantic County
Section C-5 Estell Manor City, Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area, 10 Acres Grass
Section C-5 Estell Manor City, Maple Lake Wildlife Management Area, 1 Acre Grass
Section C-8 Hamilton Twp, NJFFS Strawberry Field, 100 acres grass

Camden and Gloucester Counties
Section C-6 Winslow Twp/Monroe Twp, Winslow Wildlife Management Area, 100 Acres Grass

Cumberland County
Section C-4 Maurice River Twp, Peaslee Wildlife Management Area, 5 Acres Grass

March 25 (at least 285 acres)
Obtained from New Jersey Forest Facebook on Wednesday, March 25

Middlesex County
Section B10 Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in South Brunswick

Ocean County
Section B5 Pancoast Fuel Break in Barnegat Twp.

Cape May County
Section C-1 Beaver Swamp Wildlife Management, Middle Township, 40 Acres Forest
Section C-2 Belleplain State Forestt, Dennis Township, 95 Acres Fores

Cumberland County
Section C-3 Buckshutem Wildlife Management Area, Lawrence Twp and Fairfield Twp, 150 Acres Forest

Prescribed Burns in NJ (NJ Forest Fire Service), March 18th & 19th

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service conducted more prescribed burns last week before it snowed last Friday. The figure for acreage burned is mine from adding up each days burns.

A small map of New Jersey by county with a listing of counties in each of the three New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Divisions may be found here (scroll down a bit). A second map of New Jersey from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service shows the boundaries of the three NJFFS Divisions, with the location of each Division Section may be found here.

March 18
Prescribed burns 744 acres
see the March 18th Facebook post by NJ Forests

B1 Burlington County Park, Hainesport
20 Acres Grass

B6 Brendon Byrne State Forest
672 Acres Forest

B7 Double Trouble State Park, Berkley Township
52 Acres Forest


March 19
Prescribed burns 1,636 acres
see the March 19th Facebook post by the NJ Forests

B-1 Wharton State Forest, Shamong
200 acres forest

B-2 Wharton State Forest, Washington
60 acres forest

B-4 Stafford Forge, Little Egg Harbor
12 acres grass

B-5 Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Lacey/Manchester
150 acres grass

B-7 Whiting Wildlife Management Area, Manchester
100 acres forest

B-9 Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, Jackson
400 acres grass

B-6 Brendan Byrne State Forest, Woodland
400 acres forest

B-10 Pigeon Swamp, Jamesburg
20 acres forest

C2 Belleplain State Forest, Dennis
67 acres forest

C5 Atlantic County Park, Hamilton
25 acres forest

Strawberry Fields Airport, Mays Landing
100 acres grass

C7 Stockton University, Galloway
52 acres forest

C9 Glassboro WIldlife Management Area, Glassboro
50 acres grass

DC-7: present and 61 years ago

On a snowy March day in New Jersey I want to pause a bit and share two videos about the DC-7.

I came across the one below today and don't quite remember if I have seen this one before. If I have shared this one before, well enjoy the re-run. You will see DC-7 Tanker-66 on a take off roll in 2012 before Butler was acquired by Erickson Aero.


direct link to video

While I was looking at this video on youtube earlier today, I found this video from 1954 starring one of American Airlines DC-7 on a NY to Los Angeles flight. Allow about 29 minutes to watch this video. Thanks to Classic Airliners and Pop Culture for finding and sharing this video.


direct link to video

Enhanced fire danger for portions of NJ & more on prescribed burns

Enhanced fire danger

On a somewhat chilly yet blustery March day, the National Weather Service Forecast Office at Mt. Holly NJ (Philadelphia) has issued a special weather statement for enhanced fire danger for central and southern New Jersey for today. Depending on when you arrive at this post, the special weather statement may have expired, so I am copying it below. I believe that this is the first day of enhanced fire danger this year.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 932 AM EDT WED MAR 18 2015
NJZ009-010-012>027-182000- 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- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FLEMINGTON...SOMERVILLE... NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK...TRENTON...PENNSVILLE... GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY... JACKSON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE... OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY...LONG BEACH ISLAND... WHARTON STATE FOREST
932 AM EDT WED MAR 18 2015

...ENHANCED FIRE DANGER ALONG AND JUST SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 78 OVER SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY TODAY...

GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS TO 30 MPH COMBINED WITH HUMIDITY LOWERING TO NEAR 20 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CAN LEAD TO A MORE RAPID RATE OF SPREAD OF ANY FINE FUEL FIRES THAT MAY DEVELOP.

EXTRA CARE IS ADVISED TO MAINTAIN OUTDOOR FIRE SAFETY TODAY.

$$

I'll do my best to see if there is any wildfire activity today, and I'll share any updates that I might come across. However, there is a chance that I won't hear any news about wildfire activity.


Prescribed Burns

As some of you know I wrote about prescribed burns in New Jersey on March 13th and March 16th. I came across an article on prescribed burns in NJ on Philly dot com (March 16, 2014). The article discusses the prescribed burns that were conducted by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service last Friday (March 13th). Of note is a reference in the Philly dot com article of March 16th saying that the end date for prescribed burning is not yet known:

Just how long the burns will continue is unknown, said DEP spokesman Larry Hajna. The end date "is a moving target because of the rain and snow," he said Friday. "We were trying for a few weeks to get this launched."

The burns will continue beyond the usual March 15 cutoff. "But we can't go too late into the season," Hajna said. "We go as long as we can safely do it."

The controlled fires are generally conducted during the winter months to minimize the amount of smoke produced, and when weather conditions tend to be safer for them.

I'll do my best to keep on eye on any future prescribed burns in New Jersey and post updates in future articles.

A little more about prescribed burns in New Jersey

Last Friday, March 13th, I wrote about several prescribed burns that were done that day. I have since heard from some friends in the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) that those prescribed burns that were done last Friday the 13th were the first prescribed burns of the season. A list of those burns that I listed on March 13th may be found in this NJFFS Facebook post.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service released a press release about the 2015 Prescribed Burning season in New Jersey on March 13th that may be found here.

A couple of points from the press release that I'd like to highlight here.

1. Why do prescribed burns? I like what the press release says:

The Forest Fire Service, part of the DEP’s Forestry Services, expects to burn about 10,000 acres of forests and grasslands this season. These fires burn brush, leaves, needles and debris but do not reach the canopy of the forest or cause significant tree loss as wildfires do. They improve forest health by removing thick undergrowth and competing non-native trees that can harm the overall health of the forest.

2. The New Jersey Forest Fire Services warns that residents in areas where prescribed burning is happening may see smoke and suggest that if residents are in doubt about the source of the smoke that they may contact 9-11 or 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).

3. I know from first hand experience that roads near or adjoining areas where prescribed burns are taking place are indeed clearly marked. In my experience the signage is clear and you will know before you drive through an area where prescribed burning is occuring.

I don't know what effect our colder than normal winter and only recent snow melt has had on the prescribed burning season here in New Jersey. But I do know that I can check the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Facebook page for updates. And I'll share any updates I find here.

Prescribed burns in New Jersey (2015)

I have to admit that with the recent cold weather that we have had in New Jersey it has been a little hard to believe that our spring fire season is coming up. And even if there was no snow, it was hard for me to imagine to prescribed burning in the frigid temperatures that we have experienced this winter in New Jersey. Even with the more normal (for us temperatures) in Northern New Jersey this week, a snow pack still lingers. In my case, the snow pack is minimal, a couple of inches, covering about one-half of my property. But north of me, the snow pack will be deeper. South of me, as you can see from the Snow Depth graphic from the National Snow Analyses from the U.S. National Weather Service’s National Operation Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center, there is no snow pack.

Obtained on March 13, 2015 from

NOHRSC Ntl Snow Analysis 

While I am hardly an expert in such things, I know that once the snow pack is gone the potential exists for the ground to dry out pretty quickly. And with that the start of the spring wildfire season.

In advance of the spring fire season here in New Jersey, prescribed burning is done. I suspect that the persistent snow pack through much of January into late February/early March has resulted in fewer prescribed burns. The lack of snow cover in central and southern New Jersey means that they are able to do prescribed burning. Unfortunately, I don’t quite know when prescribed burning started in the central and southern part of New Jersey (Sections B and C). However, thanks to my friends at the NJFFS Section B-10 website  I know that  there is prescribed burning going on today in the following areas in New Jersey (what you see when you access tPete's NJ Wildland Fire Page: Section B10
will differ depending on when you accessing their page):

NEW JERSEY FOREST FIRE SERVICE DIVISION B


• Section B2 — Burlington County, Washington Twp. Warton State Forest, 50 acres, grass

• Section B4 — Ocean County, Eagleswood Twp, Stafford WMA, 50 acres, grass
• Section B6 — Ocean County, Manchester Twp, Manchester WMA, 50 acres, grass
• Section B10, Monmouth County, Monmouth Battlefield, 203 acres, grass

NEW JERSEY FOREST FIRE SERVICE DIVISION C

• Section C3 — Cumberland County, Commercial and Downe Twp., Milleville and Buckstutem WMA, 90 acres, grass
• Section C4 — Cumberland County, Maurice Twp. Peasley WMA, 100 acres, grass

It is supposed to rain tonight into Saturday and possibly into early Sunday which probably means no prescribed burning anywhere in the State this weekend.

Smokejumping: Reflections

When I first got seriously interested in wildland firefighting I got in touch with a former professor with whom I studied a little about forestry (among other things) while I was in graduate school. I told Marc about my interest in wildland firefighting. He suggested that I read Young Men and Fire by Norman McLean about Mann Gulch . A short time later, I read Jumping Fire, by Murray A.Taylor about his life as a smokejumper. So you could say that one of my introductions to wildland firefighting was through smokejumping.

One of these days on one of my treks out west, I’ll have an opportunity to visit a Smokejumper Base or two. I’d love to see up close and personal some of what I’ve seen in videos about what happens at a Smokejumper Base. Perhaps I’d be able to visit one of the smokejumping aircraft up close and personal.

Over the last several days, I have grown to appreciate the complexity of all that is involved in smokejumping. I don’t know if what I have posted previously or plan to post in the capture will adequately capture all that is involved in smokejumping from training to practice jumps to getting the call to a fire to jumping to the fire to working the fire.

As I continue to write this blog on the different aspects of aerial wildland firefighting, I hope that some of my respect for all wildland firefighters whether the be on the ground or in the air as well as their support staff comes through in what I share.

Before I leave, I do hope to continue the series on smokejumping 101 (see articles from March 3rd, March 4th, and March 9th). I have some queries out to get some more information on smokejumping to share with you. But this process may take a several days. So stay tuned, I'll be back with more articles in my series on smokejumping as soon as I can.

Added on May 29, 2015: I spent some time thinking about how I will approach any future articles on smokejumping. I'm not sure at this point when I'll be making more posts on smokejumping. Over the course of the current wildfire season (2015) I will be looking to try learn more about smokejumping. Because I do not live in close proximity to any Smokejumping bases, this will be difficult. However, I am hoping that I might be able to learn something about smokejumping that I can share with you.

Smokejumping 101 part 3: More on Smokejumper Aircraft

Here are some videos and or pictures of four smokejumper aircraft. Later this week I'll be back with more in this series

Twin Otter
8 smokejumpers


direct link to video

Casa 212
10 smokejumpers

Practice jump Casa 212


direct link to video

Shorts Sherpa
10 smokejumpers

I believe that the aircraft you are seeing in the video from KQED on the California Smokejumpers that I embed below is a Shorts Sherpa. If the embed code doesn’t work, the direct link should work. I first shared this video in August 2014, but it is approrpriate to share it again.

direct link to video

I shared some links to photos and videos of the Sherpa on February 27, 2015. (I was having trouble with this link, and if it doesn't work just scroll down a bit on the main page of my blog and you should find the post).

Dornier 228
8 smokejumpers
picture from California Smokejumpers Aircraft page (bottom of page)

Alaska Smokejumpers

I was hoping to write a little more about the different types of smokejumper aircraft. As sometimes happens, I have to take a little more time to do some more research before I write my article. Sorry about that. I’m not going to take too long on this phase of my research, and it is my intention to post a second article next week, either on March 9 or March 11.

In the meantime, I have previously shared videos about Alaska Smokejumpers on December 28, 2012 (SJ training) and on January 2, 2013 (2012 season). I found some more videos about Alaska Smokejumpers that I want to share with you to share with you from the Alaska Film Archives. They have a collection of nine videos showcasing Alaska Smokejumpers, I am sharing three with you.

Air to air video of Alaska smokejumpers jumping from a Volpar aircraft (1986)



direct link to video


Alaska smokejumpers exiting airplanes (2005)



direct link to video


Wildfire and retardant drops from Alaska Smokejumpers collection (1985-1996)



direct link to video

Smokejumping 101 - part 2: About Smokejumper Aircraft

Just as the Interagency Airtanker Board approves Interagency Airtanker Board (IAB) Multi-engine Tankers, SEATS, Helitankers and Retardant tanks the Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Board (SASEB) evaluates and approves

smokejumper/paracargo aircraft and related accessories, initiatives, proposals and issues. SASEB will provide guidance for standardization, when evaluating new interagency smokejumper/paracargo aircraft and related aircraft accessories (Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Board (SASEB)).

There is a list of SASEB approved aircraft dated 2004 on the Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Board (SASEB) website, but if you click on the 2004 Meeting Approved List the resulting document is dated August 2, 2000. It isn’t quite clear to me if the SASEB approved aircraft list has been revised since that time.

What I do know is that I found a listing of Smokejumper Aircraft 2015 from the National Interagency Coordination Center’s aviation page. Of course, if you are landing here sometime after 2015, I’m not sure what will happen when you click on the link that I gave. Anyway, the listing of smokejumper aircraft that will be used in 2015 includes some useful information. such as the tail number, aircraft type, aircraft identifier and assigned base.

Four types of smokejumper aircraft will be used in 2015: Twin Otter DHC-6, Sherpa, Dornier, and Casa 212. I will write more about these four aircraft types on Friday, March 5.

Looking to the future, Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation has been reporting about 15 Sherpa C-23B aircraft that the U.S. Army is transferring to the U.S. Forest Service, his latest article was written on October 28, 2014. He asked Jennifer Jones, a U.S. Forest Service spokesperson for an update:

As of 9/11/14, a total of 10 C-23B+/SD3-60s have been transferred from the DoD to the U.S. Forest Service and the remainder are scheduled to be transferred within the next few weeks. . . . 

The U.S. Forest Service will locate one aircraft in Ogden, Utah to serve as the prototype aircraft for FAA Civil Certification as an SD3-60 Sherpa and will then conform the rest of the C-23B+ aircraft to that standard. One of the three aircraft located in Redmond, Oregon will be used to complete the Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Board (SASEB) approval process and to develop pilot familiarity and training. The other aircraft will be progressively certified, configured for wildfire suppression missions, and brought into service. 

The U.S. Forest Service expects to begin bringing the aircraft into service incrementally (two to four aircraft per year) beginning in 2016 . . .

For more information on the 15 Sherpa C-23B aircraft read Bill’s October 28, 2014 article. I expect that Bill will continue to report on this as new developments arise so you might check out Fire Aviation every so often.

Stay tuned for my next article in this series where I’ll continue to write about smokejumper aircraft.

Smokejumping 101 - part 1

Some of you might have guessed that I am working on a series on Smokejumpers. I am still developing this series as I write this. I hope to present either some different information from that I have presented in earlier articles or else (hopefully) present some additional information about subjects that I have already written about.

I thought that I’d begin with an article, which will be a review of sorts, listing the Smokejumper Bases. In one article that I wrote on Smokejumping, on July 15, 2009, I listed the nine Smokejumper Bases. To review, these bases are:

US Forest Service
McCall, Idaho
Grangeville, Idaho
Redding, California
West Yellowstone, Montana
Missoula, Montana
Winthrop, Washington
Redmond, Oregon

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Boise, Idaho
Fairbanks, Alaska [note smoke jumpers in Alaska are a branch of the Alaska Fire Service and the BLM]

The USFS maintains a webpage listing the current Smokejumper Bases along with locations and contact info that I obtained from here.

The National Smokejumpers Users Guide-2011 (SJ Users Guide) is an easy to read document with a lot of basic information. I found some useful information that answered some questions that I had. On page 5 of the SJ Users Guide I found the same listing of USFS and BLM Smokejumper Bases this time listed by region with the number of personnel at each base, along with a map. According to the SJ Users Guide (2011), page 5 there “are about 325 Forest Service smokejumpers” based at the seven USFS bases (at least when the SJ Users Guide was printed in 2011), and 145 BLM smokejumpers. USFS and BLM smokejumpers are interchangeable.

I had read that smokejumpers sometimes operate out of other bases, these bases are listed on page 5 of the SJ Users Guide and are also included in the map. Unfortunately I can not reproduce the map here, so I hope that you will take a few moments and look at the map.These other bases that have been used are referred to as “spike bases:”

Vernal, Utah
Price Utah
Moab, Utah,
Pocatello, Idaho
Salmon, Idaho
Santa Fe New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Prescott, Arizona
Cannon City, Colorado
Durango, Colorado
Elko Nevada

I will continue with this series on Smokejumpers tomorrow or Thursday where I’ll write a little more about Smokejumper aircraft.

A little about the history of California smokejumpers and their aircraft

Between going outside and working on some ice that is or was blocking the underground pipe that drains one of my gutter downspouts I have been reading more about the Smokejumper program. I had been hoping to make a post today, perhaps the first of a few posts, but I am running out of time today. I will return tomorrow with some more information.

But in the meantime, I thought you might enjoy reading some information that I found on the California Smokejumpers-Redding wepage. They have a lot of great information, and I have spent at least one hour, perhaps more, looking at various pieces of information. I will point you to three items that I read this afternoon:

Development of Smokejumping in the U.S.
How the California Smokejumpers Began
California Smokejumper Aircraft

Smokejumper Aircraft: Shorts Sherpa C-23A

I  am pretty certain that I embedded a video last August showing the California Smokejumpers from Redding shows the smoke jumpers jumping out of a Shorts Sherpa C23A.  The California Smokejumpers - Redding have an aircraft page where you can learn more about the current aircraft they use (Shorts Sherpa and Dornier (contracted) as well as past aircraft.

The Sherpa 330 is made by the Shorts Brothers in Northern Ireland and is known as a flying wing because of its unique, aerodynamic body shape. The Sherpa has a cruise speed of 160 knots, carries up to 10 jumpers and is jumped from a stand-up position. It has a range of approximately 300 miles and is currently still used at Redding. (California Smokejumpers-Redding about aircraft) 

The Missoula Smokejumpers have a publicly available Facebook page that may be found where their aircraft photo album has a couple of pictures of a Sherpa.

More on McCall Smokejumpers and their aircraft

I shared a great video about the McCall Smokejumpers on January 5th and if you haven't looked at this video (just under seven minutes), I hope that you take the time to look at it. I wanted to dig up some photos of the other smokejumper aircraft, the DH-6 300 series Twin Otter, the Shorts Sherpa C-23, Dornier, and Casa. I have just begun this process and in found a couple of photo galleries from the McCall Smokejumpers with some photos of the Smokejumper aircraft.

I loved the first photo gallery, McCall Smokejumpers 2014 which you may view as a slide show starting with here with the first photo. Included in this wonderful photogallery (please take a few moments to go thru the pictures) you will some pictures of a Twin Otter Smokejumper aircraft. In fact there are several pictures of the Twin Otter through out the gallery.

The McCall Smokejumpers have a photo page which includes an aircraft gallery including photos of Smokejumper aircraft (DC-3T, and the Twin Otter).

Last season for last DC-3 smokejumper aircraft - Jump 15

Earlier today, I read that this is the last season for the last DC-3 smokejumper aircraft, see Bill Gabbert's Fire Aviation Blog (February 22, 2015) and an article (February 21, 2015) from the Missoulian. Here is passage from the Missoulian February 22nd article where I got a sense of how much she is loved by her pilots and passengers.

“It has been flying since my grandpa was in the Army Air Corps,” smokejumper Colby Jackson said as the big plane’s engines howled through a pre-season test run. “He always gets a kick seeing pictures of us with the DC-3. He was stationed with them in Africa, when they were C-47s.” 

Jump-15 (its radio call sign) is the last DC-3 still hauling smokejumpers and backcountry cargo for the U.S. Forest Service. Pilots love her ability to land and launch from tiny forest airstrips, her muscle and endurance. Jumpers love her big exit door and reputation for reliability. With room for 16 parachute-strapped firefighters and all their gear, Jump-15 has twice the capacity of any other jump plane on the runway.

And in the 2005 video below at about marker 1:45 Smokejumper Skodt Jones talks about one of the DC-3 smokejumper aircraft (not sure which one). Jump 15's sister, Jump 42 retired a couple of years ago. I wrote about the DC-3 Smokejumper Airplanes on December 31, 2010.

direct link to video

Jump 15, I have never had the privilege of meeting you in person. I know that you are loved. You have served long as well as a smokejump aircraft. I wish that I knew how many missions you flew and where. You are almost 70 years old, wow. I wasn't born yet. A lot of us weren't born yet. You are a special lady, the last one of your kind flying as a smokejumper aircraft. I wish you, your pilots, and your smokejumpers in this your last season. Be safe. 

Geronimo Hotshots 2014 season - part 2 of 2

When I posted what is now part 1 of 2 about the Geronimo Hotshots 2014 season video - Life as a Geronimo Hotshot (posted on February 16th), I did mean to watch the entire video and add some comments prior to the time the post went live. To make a long story shorts, I had to attend some unexpected personal issues the last four days, so I only now was able to sit down and watch this 25 minute video.

If you haven't watched the video, I hope that you take 25 minutes and do so now. I certainly learned a lot about the life of a hotshot crew by watching this video. More importantly, I feel like I learned about what it means to be a Geronimo Hotshot thanks to having this peak at their 2014 season. the video was shot using a Go Pro Camera, thanks to Mario Dia.

A few minutes at the start of the video is spent showing the recruitment, focusing on at least some of the fitness and agility tests that Geronimo Hotshots must pass. Footage was shown of the following tests, I suspect that there are other fitness tests that were not shown

• running 1.5 miles in under 10 minutes 35 seconds,
• 40 situps in one minute,
• pull ups, the number is based on body weight, and
• 25 pushups in one minute,

Much of the video focuses on some (but not all) of different tasks the Geronimo Hotshot crew does on a wild fire. You will see labeled footage on the following tasks:

• handlines,
• chain saw operations,
• line preparation,
• (tree) falling operations,
• ignition operations (with a drip torch),
• the lookout,
• hot spotting, cold trail, and mop-up operations,
• hiking into and out of the fire,
• air operations (at 13:15) shot from the ground including a couple of scenes where a couple of the crew are cheering a drop,
• single resource firing boss, and
• single resource crew boss (leading other crews into fires)

You will also learn about some of the instruction and teaching that the Geronimo Hotshots do. The all important role of the wilderness medic on the crew is discussed along with how the crew medevacs an injured crew member.

Included near the end of the video is a nice tribute to fallen wildland firefighters. The video ends with an introduction to each of the Geronimo Hotshots.

The beauty of this video for me was twofold: (1) an educational video where I learned about some of the specific tasks that the Geronimo Hotshot crew does, and by extension other Hotshot crews, and (2) getting to know the 2014 Geronimo Hotshot crew as a crew, seeing them working together on wildfires.

Dash Cam footage from Colorado grass fire.

direct link to video

Thanks to my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B-10 website for posting this video on their fire videos of the week page (updated weekly).

Geronimo Hotshots 2014 season - part 1 of 2

I admit that I only had time to watch less than half this video from the Geronimo Hotshots about their 2014 season, including their training. But in the interest of getting something out here for Monday in case I am unable to post on Monday due to outages, well here it is. Enjoy.

Allow just under 25 minutes to watch this video.

Updated on February 20th, you might be interested in what is now part 2 of 2 on the Geronimo Hotshots 2014 season (posted on February 20th) where I offer some brief reflections and include a list of what I learned from the video. Circumstances prevented from doing so before this post went live.



direct link to video

My weather happenings

We are due to have a high wind event that was due to start late on February 14th going into February 15th. It is possible that I might either lose power or my internet. And I only have one or two posts ready to go at this point. So, if I'm not around online, that is why. And if I'm unable to post, I'll be back as soon as possible with an update on my weather and more articles.

 February 15 update (5:30 PM). The worst of the winds in NJ are off the shore as I write this. The winds were high but not as bad as they could have been. Localised scattered power outages, again not as bad is it could have been. We got about 3.5 inches of snow, higher then other nearby areas. A lot of blowing and drifting snow. As many of you know, Southern New England, Coastal Maine, and areas of Canada are seeing blizzard conditions and even more snow. We will be in the deep freeze (by New Jersey standards) tonight and again later this week. For all who are affected by today's storms and other winter weather to come, stay safe out there. And stay warm

California Drought - Feb 13 update

I want to followup on the post I wrote on February 11th about the ongoing droughts in California. Yesterday, February 13th, the NWS California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) posted videos (in three parts) with an update on the water supply conditions for California on February 13th, 2015. These videos may also be found on the CNRFC youtube channel, and their facebook page (posted Feb. 13th, 2015)

Note that you will see on the beginning of each video "do not use after 5PM PST on February 20th, 2015. What this means is that if you are happening on this page after February 20th, that the information presented in the videos will not be current. In that case current updates on the water supply conditions in California (updated daily) may be found on this CNRFC page on water resources.

The Latest Water Supply Conditions for California. Part 1: How Did We Get into a Drought


direct link to video


The Latest Water Supply Conditions for California. Part 2 - Reservoir Storage


direct link to video


The Latest Water Supply Conditions for California. Part 3 - Water Supply Projections


direct link to video

Airtankers working bushfires in Australia (January 2015)

I’d like to share some videos of large air tankers working bushfires in Australia. You will see Coulson’s C-130Q and Aero Flite’s Avro RJ-85.

Thanks to Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation who first shared this video of large air tankers (C-130Q and an Avro RJ-85) at RAAF Base Edinburgh along with a Gulfstream Aero Commander (Air Attack). These aircraft worked bushfires that burned near Adelaide in early January of 2015 (see this January 7th article from the New Daily for a summary of this 12,500 hectares and destroyed about 32 residences before being contained. See Bill’s article of January 8th where he shared and described the video that I embed below:


direct link to video

Here is another video that I found of the C-130Q, also at RAAF Base Edinburgh:


direct link to video

Finally, here is a video of the Avro RJ-85 dropping on a fire in Victoria Australia, thanks to Fire Aviation (2/4/15) where I first saw this video.


direct link to video

California droughts - quick update

The ongoing drought in California has been on my mind since my trip to San Diego before Thanksgiving, see the reflections that I wrote on December 1, 2014. And of course, the drought in California and elsewhere has implications for wildfire danger. I continue to follow the California drought and will be writing more on the California drought from time to time. I'd like to share a few resources with you concerning the drought.

The California Nevada River Forecast Center has a drought information page with lots of information about the drought, both nationally as well as focusing on California and Nevada. Near the top of the page you will see the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map. The one below is dated February 3 2015 (released on February 5)

The California River Forecast Center has a presence on both Facebook and Twitter.

The California Department of Water Resources has a drought information page, also chock full of information on the drought including information about California's Water Year 2014 (October 1, 2013 to Septenmber 30, 2014) reporting on below normal snowpack from last winter and below normal rainfall.

I know that California has seen some more rainfall since the rains that came last December (go here and here for more information on one of the December rain storms in California). I also understand that the snowpack in the mountains of California is again below normal, see a January 30th article by Matt Weiser of the Sacromento Bee here.

I do know that there were more rains in areas of California a few days ago. I am in the process of finding more information to share with you on those rains, so stay tuned.

Aerial Snow Surveys - NWS NOHRSC - Winter 2015 (#2)

A few days after the lake-effect snow storm that ocurred the week before Thanksgiving 2014 I first learned about aerial snow surveys. These aerial snow surveys are overseen by the National Weather Service's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center  (NOHRSC).I wrote about the aerial snow surveys in an article I posted on November 24, 2014. I am still learning about the science of these snow surveys, which fascinates me. I am still learning, so I am not exactly in the postion to speak to the science.

But I am interested in what snow NOHRSC has done this winter. As I have interests in New England where the southern areas have seen significant amounts of snow this winter, I went to the NOHRSC snow survey page and saw a list of snow surveys conducted to date during the 2014-2015 winter. There are links for snow surveys done to date. I should note that for those of you who might be arriving at this article after this winter is over, I am not certain how long the 2014-2015 snow survey information is available. 

You might see snow surveys done in or near your State or other States that are of interest. I am going to use the example of aerial snow surveys done in New England and portions of New York (for the Northeast River Forecast Center (NERFC). So I click on the link for NERFC Snow Survey, and land on the 2015 NERFC Snow Survey Page. The aircraft fly certain pre-determined flight lines, you may see the flight lines for New England and portions of New York on this map. There is other information on this page which is used in determing snow water equivalent measurements (a measurement of the amount of water in the snow if the snow is completely melted, see the NOHRSC glossary on the NOHRSC help page. I am interested in aerial photography and am also interested in the flight lines flown on the survey. So, I am going to focus here on the digital aerial photographs taken on these flights. I found the photos fun to look at and I thought that some of you might enjoy these photos.

I followed a link for aerial survey photos that I found on the top left corner of the 2015 NERFC Snow Survey Page  where I landed on a page of several photos taken on the NERFC Snow Survey (#11). I was interested in exactly where these photos were taken, and I was not disappointed. NOHRSC very nicely included a kmz file containing the photos with the esact location where the photo is taken that I could download and read in Google Earth.  Photos are taken from 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level.

I focused here on New England and portions of New York. As I write this, portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania, Montana, Wisconsin and Michigan have been surveyed in NOHRSC's snow survey program. And as the winter goes on, other states will be surveyed as well. If I am in a position to write a little more about the science of the snow surveys, I'll write a follow-up article or two. 

Oklahoma wildfires (January 2015)

Thanks to my friends at the NJ Section B10 website's fire videos page I have two videos of the recent wildfires that burned in Oklahoma to share with you.


direct link to video


direct link to video

I have a couple things in the works, updates to earlier articles I wrote on the California droughts and the National Weather Service's NOHRSC's aerial snow surveys. Stay tuned for those updates next week.

On the international wildfire front

I get a lot of my news about wildfires burning outside the United States from Mike Archers WNOTD in his six-day a week e-mail Wildfire News of the Day, which you may subscribe to here. Bill Gabbert also has good coverage of international wildfire news on Wildfire Today. I can’t do justice to all the international wildfire news in one short article. But I do want to acknowledge here that I am keenly aware that wildfires are a global issue.

To that end here are a few international wildfire news items of the last three to five days that have caught my attention with links where you can go for more information.

It is summer in Australia and that means bushfire season. The Northcliffe Bushfire in Western Australia that has burned 143,000 acres: Wildfire Today (Feb 3rd) and Wildfire Today (Feb 4th). See also: Yahoo - GWN 7 (Feb 3rd), The West Australian (with photo gallery), and Australian Broadcasting Corp on animal rescue.

Moving from Australia to New Zealand, the Stuff.co.nz (Jan 31st) reporting that a 330 hectare wildfire in Flock Hill Station, New Zealand has been contained.

Finally, moving to Africa, n 86 acre wildfire in Uganda is covered by New Vision (Jan 31st). Note I had trouble loading this link, it worked intermittantly.

Tanker Tidbits (2/3/15)

Some news about the tanker biz from the last few weeks.

Tankers in Australia. In December 20143, two Next-Generation Tankers went on contract in Australia: Conair’s RJ-85 and Coulson’s C-130 Q. Bill Gabbert wrote about this on his Fire Aviation Blog on December 14, 2014 and December 16, 2014. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation covered the first drops of the C-130 and the RJ-85 in an article on December 16, 2014

Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation wrote an interesting and must read article on January 21st updating the status of USFS C-130s. As I understand it, the C-130s are government owned but will be contractor operated with maintenance provided by the U.S. Air Force.

There is $65 million for US Forest Service wildland firefighting air tankers included in the fiscal 2015 spending bill that was passed by Congress in December 2014. There is speculation that these funds might be used by the US Forest Service to purchase a new airtanker. For further coverage and discussion see Bill Gabbert’s Fire Aviation article (12/16/14) and E & E Publishing (January 2015).

Coulson Aviation USA discusses upgrades to their tanker fleet in an article on bclocal news (11/20/14).

Los Angeles Fire Department Helos

As sometimes happens, I was working on something that I intended to post today but got distracted with dealing with the latest round of winter weather in my parts. So I will be back with the intended post tomorrow.

In the meantime, a while back I found this nice video on youtube by David and Cameron Barrett (2009) some footage from a documentary they did on Los Angeles Fire Department Helos. It is possible that this is a rerun perhaps from an earlier video of the week. But I love reruns, especially about helos.

The video is a little over four minutes and I think you will enjoy it.



direct link to video on youtube


For Matt, you are flying in flying in favorable tailwinds