2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Tea Time Hill Wildfire, July 6th update #1

 I am sorry that I missed the July 5th 8:30 PM update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) on the Tea Time Hill Wildfire where the NJFFS reported that the fire had burned approximately 1,200 acres and was at 40 percent containment. The NJFFS just posted their July 6th morning update at about 9:15. The wildfire has burned approximately 4,000 acres and is at 60 percent containment. No structures are currently threatened, the Batona Campground remains closed, some trails and roads in Wharton State Forest are closed. A helicopter with a 300 gallon bucket is working the fire. You might want to check out 6ABC in Philadelphia and/or News12 New Jersey for their reporting on this fire, both have video reports.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Tea Time Hill Wildfire (July 5th)

 

I heard about the Tea Time Hill Wildfire a short time ago, from the NJ Forest Fire Service on Facebook and from my friend at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page. As I write this, the Tea Time Hill Wildfire has burned 450 acres in near Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower in Wharton State Forest in New Jersey (Tabernacle Township, Burlington County, NJ).

Friday Fun: TBM Avenger and Other Historic Aircraft Saluting Veterans

 For this week's Friday Fun I am sharing a nineteen minute video that I will embed below. The video is from Airshow Stuff Videos of a 2024 Airshow of a TMB Avenger gathering and salute to Veterans around Memorial Day 2024. I am not sure where this airshow was. TBM Avengers were used in aerial firefighting, my tagged articles on the Avenger may be found here (most recent first). See for example my July 26th 2010 introduction to a series on the TBM Avenger, please note that some of the links in this series are expired but with the help of a friend I hope that the introduction provides a brief overview of the Avenger. The World War Aviation Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado has a nice page with history and specifications of the TBM Avenger that may be found on this page. 

You will see other historic aircraft in this video.

Enjoy, the video is just over nineteen minutes

Direct link to video from AirShowStuffVideos on YouTube

How BLM Fire Uses SEATs

 Sometimes I luck out when I am looking on social media for things to share with you. Yesterday I saw on my Youtube feed a video from the National Interagency Fire Center on their YouTube channel about how the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM0 fire aviation program about their use of Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs) and all the support personal who work with the SEATs. I am aware of the good work that the BLM does out west and applaud their use of SEATs on wildfires in and around their territory. I learned a lot from this video not only about SEATs but also from SEAT aviation managers at various bases used by SEATs. Enjoy. Allow for under six minutes to watch this video.

Direct link from the National Interagency Fire Center on YouTube

2024 Wildfire Season: NJ Forest Fire Service Deploys Additional crews to CA

 I shared a couple of weeks ago that the NJ Forest Fire Service deployed one type 6 engine with two crew to southern California. This engine and crew are currently helping to fight wildfires in the Sequoia National Forest, I learned on June 28th that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) has deployed two more engines, type 4 engines, with six crew to southern California to support wildland land fire fighting operations. I understand that these deployments do not negatively impact the ability of the NJFFS to fight wildfires in New Jersey. I think the crews for helping out in southern California and in doing so you are spending time away from your families. You honor us with your service.

Friday Fun: P-51 Mustang (dual seat) flying over NJ shore

 In looking for a fun aviation to share with you for Friday Fun I did a search on YouTube on flying over the NJ shore and saw this 2016 video from a passenger on a dual seat P-51 Mustang "Betty Jane" from the Collings Foundation. I was intrigued by this 14 minute video and wanted to share this with you. You may want to read about the P-51 Mustang, "Betty Jane" on this page from the Collings Foundation. You will see the pilot introducing the P-51 to his passenger before taking off on their flight over the New Jersey shore. The Collings Foundations takes their historic planes on tours around the United States, and I have visited them in New Jersey a couple of times over the last several years I was privileged to see Betty Jane up close and in person.

Direct link to video by  Duke JJZ on YouTube

Multi-Agency Rescue on Appalachian Trail in the Delaware Water Gap

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service like other State and National Fire Fighting Agencies may be involved in assisting other agencies in rescues on hiking trails and the like. Such an incident happened the night of June 25th near the Catfish Fire Tower on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Delaware Water Gap (see the map).

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service assisted in a medical rescue on the AT near the Catfish Fire Tower.

A Facebook Post from the Knowlton Twp. Fire and Rescue Company #1- Station 41 (embedded at the end of this post) there were two rescues on the evening of June 25th. The first was a sick hiker near the Catfish Fire Tower who was evacuated via a stokes stretcher.  The following agencies assisted in this rescue: Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Co No 1, St Lukes Emergency and Transport Services, Blairstown Hose Company, Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, Blairstown Ambulance Corp, NJ Jersey Forest Fire Service,  National Park Service LEO Rangers, Warren County Search and Rescue, St Clairs Emergency Medical Services Paramedics.

While the rescue near Catfish Fire Tower was going on, there was a second incident, a fall from the Red Dot Trail on Mt. Tammany in the Worthington State Forest. Agencies involved in this rescue were: Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Co No 1, Portland Hook and Ladder, Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company,  Freden Volunteer Fire Department, Blairstown Hose Company, NJ Forest Fire Service, NJ Park Police, NJ State Police, National Park Service LEO Rangers, National Park Service High Angle Rescue Team, Warren County Search and Rescue, and Blairstown Ambulance Corps. The terrain on this trail required five rope systems in order to evacuate the injured party on a Stokes stretcher.

I have been on both of the trails mentioned here, but that was several years ago before I got arthritis in my knees. I would not hike on the Red Dot Trail again, it is rugged and some rock scrambling is required as I recall. I am not sure about the AT up to the Catfish Tower, a nice trail but I am not sure my knees could take it. I offer my thanks to all the agencies who were involved in both of the rescues last night. Kudos to all. 

Fatal SEAT (Air Tractor 802A) Crash on June 21st in New Mexico

RIP Ronald "Van" Patton. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, colleagues, friends and all who loved you. Edited at 4PM on June 24th to add that thanks to a friend, I saw this post on Facebook from Coastal Air Strike about the fatal SEAT crash. It was not until June 26th that I found out that Kelly Andersson of Fire Aviation made an excellent post on June 24th about the crash, you will want to go and read Kelly's excellent write-up about Ronald "Van" Patton.

2024 Wildfire Season: Salt & South Fork Fires, New Mexico

I want to thank a good friend of mine who sent me an article (dated July 19th) about the Salt and South Fork Wildfires that started on Monday, July 17th on Mescalero Apache tribal land. I learned from this article from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal with photos that the State Police had found the bodies of two individuals who had died in the fires, that 1,400 homes in and around Ruidoso have been destroyed, there was a mandatory evacuation order in nearby Ruidoso, and that some residents were unaccounted for. Heavy rainfall has lead to other problems, most notably debris flows. I then went to Wildfire Today and saw that Kelly Andersson wrote about the Salt and South Fork Fires on June 18th.

I went to Inciweb a short time ago to find more information, their page on the Salt and South Fork Fires may be found here. I have shared their latest below. The current Incident Commander is Dave Gesser of The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5. As I write this, the South Fork Fire has burned 16,349 acres and the Salt Fire has burned 7,652 acres. Both fires are at 0 percent containment. The State of New Mexico has similar information about these fires that I found here, please note that I suspect that this page is updated so depending on when you are reading this article you may see something different.

Obtained on June 21, 2024 at 2 PM from the South Fork and Salt Fires Inciweb Map page

Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Governor of New Mexico, declared a State of Emergency on June 20th authorizing $5.25 million for relief efforts. Also on June 20th, President Biden declared a Major Disaster Declaration to support relief efforts. KRWG Public Media out of New Mexico has  June 20th article on their website reporting on a Thursday night public meeting with a discussion on the effects of heavy rain on Wednesday night leading to flash flooding and the dangers of debris flows. Evacuation orders are still in place.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Wildfire Along NJ Turnpike (Hudson County)

 A wildfire is currently burning along the eastern spur of the New Jersey Turnpike in Secacus, Hudson County. This is north of Newark International Airport and south of the George Washington Bridge in northern New Jersey. The lead agency is the Secaucus Fire Department with the NJ Forest Fire Service assisting. For more information see this article from News 12 New Jersey and this gifted article from NJ Advance Media. Travelers on the Turnpike are experiencing smoky conditions. The cause and the size of the wildfire are unknown at this time. According to the NJ State Police, the fire was extinguished on Thursday afternoon.

2024 Wildfire Season: New BLM SEAT Base in Casper WY

 Direct link to Facebook post by Casper/Natrona County International Airport

I have a lot of respect for the Bureau of Land Management Fire operations in the United States. Further, as regular readers know, I have a lot of respect for Single Engine Airtankers (SEAT) that do important work all over the United States and internationally working wildfires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. SEAT bases and other airports capable of handling SEAT traffic and supporting operations in close proximity to wildfires are important. So when I saw reference to the opening of a BLM SEAT base at the Casper/Natrona County International Airport on June 14th, I knew that I wanted to share this with you. I understand that this airport also has a Large Air Tanker base.

Aerial Fire Magazine has a short article about the opening of the new base in Casper that may be found here. In addition, K2Radio out of Wyoming covers the opening of the new base in an article posted after the base opened

2024 Wildfire Season: Post Fire, AZ and Update on Adams and Spring Fires

On June 5th, I wrote about two larger wildfires that were burning in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, the Adams and the Spring Fire. The Spring Fire was 100 percent contained at 4,097 acres over a week ago and the Adams Fire was also at 100 percent containment a week ago at 5,029 acres.

Direct link to video from OnsceneTV on YouTube

Thanks to my friends at the B10 New Jersey Wildfire Page where I learned about the Rose Fire, thanks to a video they shared today that I have embedded here. The fire started last Wednesday, June 12th near Wickenburg, AZ, north west of Phoenix in Maricopa County. I believe but am not sure that the footage fromthe scene of the wildfire was shot last Thursday, June 13th. While according the stats from Inciweb on the Rose Fire, the fire burned 166 acres it did destroy 15 structures, seven of which were residences along with some vehicles. What hit homes for me about this wildfire is that a relatively small wildfire of a couple of hundred acres can lead to the loss of people's homes and other structures and vehicles. 

SEATs were initially used on the wildfire before larger aircraft, Scoopers, Very Large Airtankers and Helicopters. News 12 out of Phoenix has a June 16th report (with a video) on the fire reporting on some losses of those who lost their homes.

2024 Wildfire Season: Bridger Aerospace Sends Scoopers to Arizona

 I like to try to keep track of where Airtankers are deployed to help the crews on the ground as they fight wildfires. When I was checking social media just now to try to see what was going in the aerial wildfire community I saw that On July 13th,  Bridger Aerospace out of Bozman Montana is sent two of their Scoopers, 285 'Devils Brigade" and 286 "Matthew, to Arizona to assist in fighting wildfires. Thanks Bridger Aerospace, stay safe.

2024 Wildfire Season: New Jersey Forest Fire Service Sending Engine and Crew to Southern California

Every year around this time I start looking to see if the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is sending an engine(s) and crew to other parts of the country to help them fight wildfires. This year, the NJFFS is sending one type 6 engine with two crew to southern California. Last year the NJFFS sent two engines with five crew to southern California. This deployment will not impact the ability of the NJFFS to fight wildfires in New Jersey. The crew is driving out west and I believe that the crew's deployment is for a period of up to two weeks. My understanding is that the receiving state, in this case California pays the cost. On a personal note, I have family and friends in southern California so I am thankful that the NJFFS will be helping out. Thank-you NJFFS type 6 engine and crew for your service. Stay safe.

CL-215/415 "Scoopers"

 One of the aerial tools in the wildfire toolbox are the CL215/415 Scoopers, these are amphibious aircraft specially built to scoop water out of water bodies to fight wildfires. There are at least two companies that fly Scoopers, Bridger Aerospace  and Aeroflite. Bridger has a nice 3D Tour of one of their Scoopers that I hope you can access from Bridger's webpage on Scooper operations, go here for the desktop version, and look for the "access 3D tour link"; I could not access the desktop link on Chrome but could on Safari and Firefox. The link for mobile devices should be here.

I just came across a video from ABC 15 News in Phoenix showcasing Aeroflite's Scooper. I found this report from ABCC 15 on Scooper operations and their benefits to be very informative and I hope that you will enjoy this video, just over 2 minutes. The CL215 and 415 Scoopers from Bridger Aerospace should operate in the same as Aeroflite's. As the video points out, one of the important benefits of Scoopers is that they can scoop water out of a water body near a wildfire, fly the fire and then come back for another load and to the same thing again, as long as needed. ABC 15 Phoenix does have the video on their YouTube channel but I am unable to embed their video, but there is a direct link to video from ABC15Arizona on YouTube if you want other viewing options (report on the Scooper starts at 28 seconds).

Friday Fun: Nightime Aerobatics in a Twin Beech 18

 A while back I read a book (I'll Take the 18 by Scott H Gloodt) on freight flying in a Twin Beech 18 where I felt like I got to know the Beech 18 through the pilot author. When I was looking for a fun aviation video to share this week for "Friday Fun" I ran across a couple of videos of Twin Beech Aerobatics flown by Matt Younkin. To learn about the Twin Beech 18 that Matt Younkin flies go to the aircraft page on his website. The video that I am embedding here shows Matt flying a Twin Beech 18 doing night time aerobatics at the 2023 TBM Avenger Reunion.

Direct link to video by AirShowStuffVideos on YouTube

2024 Wildfire Season: Arizona Wildfires

Direct link to video from 12 News in Arizona on YouTube

Thanks to my friends at the daily video updates from my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page as well as stories in the wildfire channel of the newsfeed on my devices, I have been aware of the wildfires that are burning in Arizona. One wildfire that I have read about is the Wildcat Fire that burned 14,402 acres in the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix Arizona, the Wildcat Fire is now at 100 percent containment. I am aware of two other larger wildfires that are still burning, both are in the Tonto National Forest. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for much of Arizona.

Adams Fire The Adams fire is still burning in the Tonto National Forest. According to the most recent update on the Adams Fire on Inciweb the Adams fire has burned 5,029 acres and is at 49 percent containment.

Spring Fire The Spring fire continues to burn in the Tonto National Forest. According to the latest update on the Spring Fire on Inciweb (the evening of Jun 4th), this wildfire has burned 4,097 acres and is at 70 percent containment.

About Hurricane Hunters in 2024

I was listening to  WHYY, this morning who broadcasts reports from National Public Radio (NPR) as a part of their Morning Edition broadcast. I heard a good report on the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the text of the report and some nice photos may be found on this NPR page.

Here is an embedded to link to their audio report:

I hope that you look at the link I provided earlier to look at their awesome photos.

A couple of points stuck out, one is that they have been using the same aircraft since 1996 and have requests to Congress for increased funding. Another point is that for the last several years they have been flying some missions in the winter to assess winter storms. This means that instead of flying for six months they are flying for 10 months. Finally they are bracing for a busier than usual 2024 hurricane season.

Here is an excerpt from their report where some of the pilots share about flying hurricanes:

The squad is known as the Hurricane Hunters, and they’re bracing for a busy tropical season. On a late May afternoon, 6 airmen are gathered around a conference table at their headquarters, looking over conditions for the day ahead of a training flight.

“I was thinking at some point today we run through the invest checklist [to] get ready since storm season is a week away,” McDermott says during the pre-flight briefing.

This is the only U.S. military unit tasked to collect real-time information for hurricane forecasters. They fly over, around, and through dangerous storms, piercing the eyewall as the propeller aircraft is pelted by hail and at times, winds topping 150 miles-an-hour.

“There's the cliché it’s like a roller coaster in a car wash,” says Lt. Col. Steven Burton, deputy operations commander with the Hurricane Hunters.

"A lot of times it's not that bad, but you get those once every now and then and makes you question your life's choices where it's violently shaking and there's hail hitting the windows and it's loud and the pilots are doing everything they can to maintain control of the airplane," says Burton, who has been with the Hurricane Hunters for about ten years.

Friday Fun: Helicopters Flying Over Stadiums

For last week's Friday Fun I shared a video of the Blue Angels performing at Annapolis. I was chatting with a friend a couple of days who told me that they saw some helicopters flying over a stadium. That conversation gave me the idea for this week's Friday Fun on Helicopter Flyovers.

I am embedding three short videos of helicopter flyovers football stadiums. Enjoy

1. Helicopters flying over Bills Stadium (late 2022?)

Direct link to video by Owen Gage on YouTube

2. Helicopter Flyover NFL Bills-Jets Game, 11/19/2023

Direct link to video by MarkB on YouTube

3. 2023 Army-Navy Game (jets and helicopters)

Direct link to video by AStack75 on YouTube

About Air Attack from Bridger Aerospace

 Air attack planes flying fire provide a very important service to keep the air space above a wild fire as various firefighting aircraft enter and depart that airspace. One of the companies that I follow on social media is Bridger Aerospace out of Bozeman Montana. I know that Bridger Aerospace has Scoopers, I was not aware that they also have Pilatus PC-12 aircraft flying air attack. I cam across this Facebook post from Bridger this morning discussing thier air attack aircraft that were recently deployed to Alaska.

Memorial Day: Remembering All Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Friday Fun: Blue Angels Over Annapolis

 I have been following the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Baltimore media where I learned that Blue Angels flew over Annapolis on May 21st. I enjoy watching the Blue Angels and thought that you might too. Here is a four minute video of highlights of their performance.

Direct link to video on YouTube from akbar20777

Coulson C-130 Drop with Lead Plane

 I know that many air tankers work coordinate with a lead plane in making a drop on a wildfire. I enjoyed this two-minute video from Coulson Aviation with a split screen between one of their C-130's and a lead plane including radio transmissions. Enjoy.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

About Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)

Direct link to video from National Interagency Fire Center on YouTube

Several years ago I learned about Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS), automated weather stations located around the United States, where I am able to obtain weather observations. I use weather information from RAWS in addition to the observations that I can obtain from my local Weather Forecast Office. One source of RAWS observations is MesoWest where you can click on a State you are interested in and select "RAWS" in the "network box" on the top left, or you may use the drop down box. For example. I have accessed RAWS data for New Jersey from MesoWest that may be found here. In my explorations just now as I was preparing to write this post, I found a National RAWS Archive for the United States with a clickable map.

To be completely honest while I sometimes use RAWS observations for my own personal information, I am also very interested in how RAWS are used to aid in fire weather forecasts, both permanent RAWS stations and Incident Remote Automated Weather Stations that are used by Incident Meterologists. The National Interagency Fire Center has a network of about 2,200 RAWS stations that includes most of the RAWS sites on MesoWest  used to aid fire weather forecasters among other uses. 

I hope that you have watched or will watch the four minute video from NIFC that I embedded above to learn about how fire weather forecasters and incident meterologists (IMETS) use RAWS and or the portable Incident RAWS (IRAWS). Note the IRAWS are also used for hurricane forecasting, and in responding to other natural or man made disasters.. You may also want to read the NIFC page on RAWS which includes a link to the video on this NIFC webpage. 

79th Anniversary of Lockheed P2 Neptune

Direct link to video from Weapons Detective on YouTube 

Direct link to video from Scorched Sky Productions on YouTube

I lucked out in looking at today's post from Neptune Aviation on  Facebook where they shared that today, May 17th, is the 79th anniversary of the Lockheed P2 Neptune. A great aircraft who did good service during the Cold War and later as an air tanker. I have many posts on the Lockheed P2V tanker that you may find under this tag. I will never forget Neptune Aviations P2V Tankers, I cut my teeth on these Air Tankers when I started this blog in 2009, see this post where I offered my reflections on this Tanker. Neptune Aviation's last P2V Air Tanker was retired in October 2017. 

2024 Wildfire Season: Neptune Aviation Deploying Air Tankers

 I am always interested in when Air Tankers and Helicopters on Contract with the US Forest Service and other Federal and State agencies are deployed to bases for part or all of a fire season. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find a listing of Air Tankers on Contract with the US Forest Service for the 2024 wildfire season nor do I have access to helicopters and SEATs on contract with Federal or State Agencies.. This only means that I have no access to such a list, this happens and I do my best to keep my eyes open for such a list and if I find such a list I will post it on my blog. 

In the meantime, thanks to following some Aviation companies who fly fires on Facebook such as Neptune Aviation, I can follow their activities. Neptune Aviation recently posted about two of their tankers that were deployed within the United States, one to Florida (T12) and another to Colorado (T10).

Neptune Aviation T10 to Colorado for the summer

Neptune Aviation T12 to Florida

2024 Wildfire Season: Acadia National Park, Maine

Direct link to video from News Center Maine on YouTube

Thanks my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing a short video this morning about a wildfire on St. Sauveur Mountain in Acadia National Park that was reported about 5 PM on Saturday, May 11th, see this post from the Bangor Daily News. I know that a helicopter and bucket from the Maine Forest Rangers flew the fire, I do not know how many drops he made nor do I know the size of the wildfire. I believe but am not certain that the wildfire is extinguished.

Having grown up in Massachusetts and spending time on the coast of Maine as a child and a couple of times as an adult I have am especially fond of Maine. I have only been to Acadia National Park once, as an adult 21 years ago. It was very special to spend a couple of days at the Acadia and see first hand some of the majesty of Acadia, I am sure that are things that I missed. I do not believe that I hiked on St. Sauveru Mountain.

Kudos to all the wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air as well as other fire fighters who responded to the wildfire. 

Pilot Chris Blackie in Ranger 905

Photos from the Maine Forest Rangers of the wildfire at Acadia

About C-130 MAFFS for Aerial Firefighting

 C-130 military aircraft that can be configured as firefighting aircraft with special portable retardant delivery systems, known as Modular Aerial Firefighting System (MAFFS), are a great resource. While these C-130 MAFFS do a lot of work out west when activated, they are a national resource available when there are not enough air tankers and helicopters to work in an area with a lot of wildfires. Currently there are 8 C-130 MAFFS available from four military units: 

152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, Reno

153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne 

302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, Peterson Air Force base, Colorado 

146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, Port Hueneme 

For more information about MAFFS as well as a couple of videos see this webpage on MAFFS from the US Forest Fire Service

Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing a video about MAFFS from KCAL News in southern California. The video is under three minutes and you will learn more about C-130 MAFFS and how they are used.

Direct link to video from KCAL on YouTube

Smoke Jumpers

 Smoke jumpers are an important resource to get wildland firefighters on the ground, often in remote places. Enjoy these two videos about smoke jumpers

1. Smokejumper training 2024

Direct link to video from National Interagency Fire Center on YouTube

2. BLM Smokejumpers working the Trail Canyon Fire (2023)

Direct link to video from National Interagency Fire Center on YouTube

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month

Direct link to video from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) on YouTube 

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. I have run across the above video previously and may have already shared it. If so, the video has some good information and is easy to understand and is good to see again. 

The following post on Facebook from NIFC contains a link to some good information on wildfire awareness. I followed one of their links to find the video that I shared above. Please be safe during your wildfire season and take the appropriate precautions around your house to be as safe from wildfires as you can.

New Helo Pod deployed in Northern San Diego County CA

Direct link to video from KPBS on YouTube

I have a special place in my heart for helicopters, this is for you Matt, and I am always interested in the different ways that helicopters may refill their tanks if tanker or refill their bucket. I learned of the Helo Pod in San Marcos, CA (northern San Diego County) that you see in the KPBS video the other day when I was perusing Facebook and saw a video from CAL FIRE San Diego of the demonstration of a San Diego County Sheriff's helicopter using the Helo Pod. I believe that I may have read about other Helo Pods in the past several months. This Helo Pod holds 5,000 gallons and can be filled remotely. The idea is that helicopters will be able to access this Helo Pod at any time thus reducing turn around time and saving lives. For more information, see this April 30th article on KPBS.

If you are a fan of watching helicopters work as I am, then you may enjoy this seven minute live video that CAL FIRE San Diego recorded on April 30th and shared on their Facebook page. I enjoyed watching the video and I thought that some of you might enjoy it as well so I am embedding it below.

Single Engine Airtankers Used by the NJ Forest Fire Service

When I was checking out the New Jersey Forest Fire Services Facebook account yesterday, I noted their April 29th post featuring a two minute video about the single engine air tankers (SEAT) that they have on contract during this spring's wildfire season. Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page, I know that there is an 800 gallon SEAT based in central New Jersey and a 600 gallon SEAT based in southern NJ. Thanks to this video I learned more about these SEATS and their pilots. I enjoyed this video and hearing from the two SEAT pilots and I hope that you enjoy it.

The video that I share below is posted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the parent agency of the NJ Forest Fire Service

Direct link to video from the NJ Dept of Environmental Protection on YouTube

What Causes Wildfires from the US National Weather Service

Good information from the National Weather Service on what causes wildfires that was shared by the US National Weather Service IMET on April 22nd, I am embedding the original post from the US National Weather Service so you may see their description on what causes wildfires along with their really great graphic.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Snowbowl Wildfire Final Update

I wrote on April 26th about the Snowbowl Wildfire that burned in Jefferson Township, Morris County on Bowling Green Mountain. According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Facebook on April 27th the Snowbowl wildfire burned 40 acres and is at 100 percent containment.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Snowbowl Wildfire, Jefferson Twp.

Most, but not all of the NJ Wildfires that I  write about are either what the NJ Forest Fire Service calls major wildfires (over 100 acres) or complex wildfires (smaller wildfires resulting in road closures or affecting structures and other property), see this April 2024 news release from the NJ Forest Fire Service for more information.

Today, thanks to information that from my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page provided on their webpage (page updated frequently), I am able to write a little bit about a smaller wildfire (acreage unknown) known as the Snowbowl Wildfire. As I write this the Snowbowl wildfire may still be burning in Jefferson Township, Morris County New Jersey on Bowling Green Mountain near the Milton Station Fire Tower. From what I understand, this wildfire was first reported yesterday, April 25th. Yesterday, the helicopter and bucket stationed at the Aeroflex Airbase in northern New Jersey did bucket work on the wildfire to support the NJFFS ground crews. A dozer was also used. Yesterday evening there was a small spot fire of about 1/2 an acre about one mile from the wildfire. No structures were threatened.

April 27th, 10:20 AM The snowbowl fire burned 40 acres and is 100 percent contained.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: County Line Fire Contained

I wrote yesterday afternoon, April 24th, about the County Line Fire that was burning in the Wharton State Forest in Waterford Township (Camden County) and Shamong Township (Burlington County). The wildfire which burned 510 acres is now contained and Jackson Road was reopened yesterday evening. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation. NJ Forest Fire Service crews will remain on site to monitor the wildfire. One campground remains closed through Sunday and a couple of trails remain closed.

Kudos the the New Jersey Forest Fire Crews for their work on this wildfire and for taking care of us. Thank-you!

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: County Line Fire (Camden and Burlington Counties)

Thanks to my friends from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Section B10 Webpage where I first learned of the County Line Fire that is burning in Wharton State Forest in Waterford Twp., Camden County and Shamong Township in Burlington County, No structures are threatened; there is a road closure, a campground is closed, and a few trails are also closed. As I write this, the wildfire has burned 300 acres and is at 40 percent containment. In addition to NJ Forest Fire Service ground crews, the NJ Forest Fire Service has deployed an observation helicopter. The video that I embed below was uploaded around noon today before the NJ Forest Fire Service posted their 3 PM update (shared above). Thanks to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for working to keep us safe. Stay safe.

Here are two reports from earlier this afternoon from CBS 3 in Philadelphia and New Jersey Advance Media (1 PM). The Burlington County Times just posted an update at 4 PM that may be found here.

Direct link to video from 6ABC Philadelphia on YouTube

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: April 21st Brush Fire in Ocean County with SEAT drops

 As I was looking on Facebook yesterday at some NJ Forest Fire Service pages, I noted a 9 minute YouTube video from the Jersey Shore Fire Response of the response, including a couple of Air Tanker Drops from a SEAT (Tanker 81). According to the description of the video, the brush fire was reported at about 4:30 PM on April 21st along some train tracks in Manchester Township, Ocean County. Route 70 west was closed for a couple of hours, and the only structure protection was in place at a nearby pallet yard. The brush fire of unknown acreage was contained before the video was posted on YouTube on April 22nd.

In this 9 minute video you will see some units from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service as well as local fire companies, NJ Forest Fire Service ground crews working the fire, dozer operations and two tanker drops. For those that are interested in dozer operations, you may find them at about 1'48" (minutes, seconds) and 3'40". Tanker drops are at 2'12" and 6'59"). You will hear some audio as well. 

New Jersey 2024 Wildfire Season: Elevated Risk for Wildfires (April 23)

 

 

Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 113 AM EDT Tue Apr 23 2024 DEZ001>004-MDZ012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055- 060>062-070-071-101>106-232200- New Castle-Kent-Inland Sussex-Delaware Beaches-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, 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, and Doylestown 

113 AM EDT Tue Apr 23 2024...ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON... 

The combination of low relative humidity values between 20 and 30 percent, southerly winds around 10-15 mph, gusting between 15 to 20 mph, and drying fuels will increase the potential for the spread of fires this afternoon. Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source...including machinery...cigarettes...and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: April 15th Wildfires Along Train Tracks in Camden County

Last week, I missed the Facebook post from the NJ Forest Fire Service that on April 15th there were more than 20 wildfires along train tracks, sparked by a passing train, in Winslow Township, Camden County NJ. The fires were contained. A SEAT with a 600 gallon tank and an observation helicopter flew the fire per this NJ Forest Fire Service Facebook post. By the end of that same day, the NJ Forest Fire Service most of these wildfires were contained. 

• CBS3 in Philadelphia reported on these wildfires here.
• New Jersey Advance Media also had a report on the fire.
• Patch in Gloucester Township NJ reported on April 16th that "A passing train sparked the fires, officials said. Conrail, which operates the train, must reimburse the Forest Fire Service for the cost of responding to the blazes, according to a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the Forest Fire Service."

Friday Fun: SEATs (2016) Spring Checkouts

I always enjoy watching videos of SEATs. Enjoy this 2016 video from airrailimages of SEATs during early spring checkouts in advance of going on contract for the 2016 wildfire season.

Direct link to video from airrailimages on YouTube

A Visit to the Empty Sky Memorial in Liberty State Park, NJ

 I knew about the Empty Sky Memorial in Liberty State Park, NJ but had not visited the Park in 15 years. Yesterday I went to the Park with a friend to refresh ourselves on how to get there for an upcoming trip. To say I was moved by seeing the Empty Sky Memorial, New Jersey's memorial to those with ties to New Jersey who died in the September 11th attack on the World Trad Center is an understatement. I live in western Hudson County for sixteen years where I saw the World Trade Center every day, I move a few months before the attacks. For reasons I can not quite explain I felt like I had to take a time out from my usual fare on this blog and dedicate this post to all who died at the World Trade Center in the attacks as well as the first responders, those who died and those who survived.

Direct link to video on YouTube from TravelTouristVideos 

2024 Wildfire Season: Air Tanker Maintenace Continues

As April began, Coulson Aviation and Neptune Aviation and continued spring maintenance of their air tankers as the following embedded (posts with photos) from their Facebook page show. I expect that other air tanker and helicopter operators who fly wildfires are also conducting spring maintenance that are not mentioned here.

Neptune Aviation Services

Coulson Aviation

New Jersey Forest Fire Service: Fire Towers Observers Detect Wildfires

I have posted on other occasions about the network of 21 fire towers around the State that are staffed when conditions are ripe for wildfires. For a description of the each fire tower and to learn more about the importance of fire towers in detecting wildfires in NJ go to the Detection page on the NJ Forest Fire Service web page.

Obtained on April 11, 2024 from https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/program/detection.html

As we in New Jersey are currently in the spring wildfire season these fire towers will be staffed as necessary. Speaking of the wildfire season in New Jersey, the NJ Forest Fire Service recently put out a nice press release urging all in New Jersey to be aware of the wildfire danger with steps that citizens should take and how they may access information about wildfire danger, as well as the role of prescribed burning, and the importance of the 21 fire towers. The press release speaks to the role of fire tower observers

'Fire observers are critical to the Forest Fire Service’s mission of early detection and rapid response to wildfires', said Bill Donnelly, State Forest Firewarden and Chief of the Forest Fire Service. 'New Jersey has some of the most volatile forest fuels in the country. Having eyes in the sky with the ability to dispatch resources at the first sign of smoke, as well as relaying to ground crews what the wind speed, wind direction and other weather conditions are doing, is immensely important.'

 The New Jersey Forest Fire Service made a Facebook on April 9th discussing the import role of fire towers in New Jersey to detect wildfires. A short video is included.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Old Mine Fire (April 10th update)

11 AM

Following up on my April 9th post where I first reported on the Old Mine Fire, the fire continues to burn in the Worthington State Forest in the Delaware Water Gap remaining at 30 acres burned this morning with containment increasing to 75 percent. Old Mine Road remains closed. According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, two wildland firefighters were treated yesterday at the scene for heat related injuries and released. The NJFFS also reports that the incident commander flew an observation flight in a NJFFS helicopter this morning and the acreage burned by the fire is not expected to grow. There will be an update this evening about 8 PM from the NJ Forest Fire Service and when that update comes I will revise this post.

April 10th 8 PM update from the NJFFS

I did not check the NJFFS Facebook page until the morning of April 11th. The Old Mine Fire is at 100% containment at 34 acres. NJFFS crews will stay on scene for mop up and monitoring. Nice job everyone. Old Mine Road is now open to traffic.

2024 California Wildfire Season: Welcome to 737 Tanker from NSW Rural Fire Service

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service in Australia is sending their 737 Large Air Tanker "Marie Bashier" to California where she will first undergo annual maintenance by Coulson Aviation at their Palm Springs Facility before being deployed to assist Cal Fire in their upcoming fire season. See the comments in the embedded Facebook post from the NSW Rural Fire Service for more information about Coulson's contract for maintenance of the Marie Bashir. Thanks to the NSW Rural Fire Service for sending the Marie Bashir to help my friends in California this season.

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Old Mine Wildfire (Delaware Water Gap, Warren County)

 

5:40 PM

There is a small wildfire known as the Old Mine Fire burning near Old Mine Rd in Worthington State Forest in the Delaware Water Gap, see the image from Google Earth below. An 800 gallon tanker and an observation helicopter were on the scene this afternoon with the tanker making drops on the fire. The map shows the location of Old Mine Road, not the location of the wildfire.  Old Mine Road starts at Interstate 80 just before it crosses into Pennsylvania and runs north along the Delaware River. According to the NJ Forest Fire Service it may be caused by humans. There was a prescribed burn near the wildfire, that burn has been stopped and did not cause the wildfire. The NJ Forest Fire will have another update later tonight, so stay tuned for later updates.

8:30 PM update

My friends at the NJFFS Section B10 website confirmed that the 800 gallon tanker (known as tanker 81) on contract for the month and based in Ocean County flew the Old Mine Road Fire earlier today and was released from the fire at about 4:40 PM. As of 8:30 PM the fire is at 25 percent containment and Old Mine Road is currently closed.

April 10th, 11 AM See my April 10th post for the latest update

2024 New Jersey Wildfire Season: Prescribed Burning (April 8th update)

As weather and other conditions have allowed, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service continues with doing prescribed burns. A prescribed burn is planned for today in northern New Jersey (Division A):

Recent prescribed burns were done on

March 30th

March 26th 

Friday Fun: Super Scooper Tanker Up Close

Join me in looking at a video report from KRTV news out of Great Falls Montana as one of their reporters takes us inside a Super Scooper from Bridger Aerospace, probably one of their De Havilland Super Scoopers. According to the the webpage that I just referred to Bridger Aerospace has 10 Super Scoopers, six CL415EAF super scoopers and four CL215T super scoopers.

Direct link to video from KRTVNews on YouTube (uploaded July 27 2021)

2024 Wildfire Season: Air Tanker Spring maintenance

When I was first learning about general aviation 13 years ago, and going on scenic rides, one of my key takeways was the importance of regular maintenance of aircraft. As I recall, the maintenance of the small planes that I was familiar was guided and mandated by FAA requirements with different maintenance and inspections being done at regular intervals  (hours flown) and signed of by an Airframe and PowerTrain Mechanic. More complicated and thorough inspections and maintenance were called for at longer intervals. But things like oil changes and the like were done at shorted intervals. But I am not writing about maintenance of general aviation airplanes and if I were, I would have to brush up on the requirements.

I am writing about spring maintenance done by contractors on contract with the US Forest Service, or at least two contractors, Coulson and Neptune. I am not privy to what is done in a spring maintenance, nor am I privy to the more routine maintenance that is done through the period when the tanker is on contract. Also, I am not ignoring helicopters on contract with various agencies that fly fires but I have no information on maintenance by helicopter contractors. I am certain that the contractors maintain their helicopters and may also engage in spring maintenance.

I did recently note on Facebook, two companies with US Forest Service Contracts making a post about spring maintenance. What is important is that spring maintenance occurs and while I don't know specific maintenance and inspection procedures, I want to share these two posts about taking time for winter/spring maintenance before individual tankers go on contract.

Coulson Aviation

Neptune Aviation

2024 Wildfire Season: Airtanker Contractors Continued Training for Upcoming Wildfire Season

 I shared last Friday that Neptune Aviation's pilots were engaged in training before going on contract for the upcoming wildfire season. Unfortunately, I know no specific timetables and the like of when tanker and helicopter contractors are doing their training, spring maintenance and the like in what air tanker and  preparation for the wildfire season. However, thanks to following social media, in this case Facebook, I have an idea of what some of the contractors are doing. I do appreciate when companies are able to share on Facebook, but understand that the important thing is taking care of their aircraft and their pilots and posting to social media or elsewhere is not always possible. Nor do I have access to a listing of when airtankers are going on contract with the US Forest Service, when I do have this information, I will make a post to this blog.

Today I share two Facebook posts about air tanker contractors that were engaged in training for the upcoming wildfire season a week or two ago.

I am not able to embed a video clip from 10 Tanker highlighting training they were doing to prepare for the wildfire season, but I invite you to go to 10 Tanker's post on Facebook to look for yourself.share first this short video clip from 10 Tanker Air Carrier.

Finally, I share this post from AeroFlite Aerial Firefighting with photos about training for the upcoming wildfire season. AeroFlite has arrangements to use a property near their base in Chico for training runs simulating a wildfire.