Picatinny Arsenal (NJ) Wildfire contained

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

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

Listening to NJFFS scanner online and SEAT operations

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

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

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

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

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

"Alpha-2 is launched."

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

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

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

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

NJ SEATs in action and Thank-you!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wildfire in Berks County PA

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

Status of some of the recent wildfires in NJ/NY

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

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

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

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

Brush fire in NJ Meadowlands

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

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

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

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

Wildfire news from NJ and NY metro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

South Park Fire summary

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

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

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

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

Two Philadelphia structure firefighters dead

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

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

South Park Fire (Burlington Cnty NJ): update 2

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

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

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

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

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

Winds Fueling Brush Fire In Tabernacle: MyFoxPHILLY.com

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

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

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

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: final update

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

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

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

Wildfires in Camden County NJ: update #2

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

For more information on the fire:

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


April 6, 2012 @ 4 PM EDT

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

RED FLAG for April 6 and wildfire activity in NJ

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

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

AT-602 used on small fire in Ocean County NJ

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

CL-215 Water Scoopers in MN

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

Air Attack - TX Spring 2011 Wildfires

Conair AT 802s back from Australia

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

More on Fire Danger in NJ and eastern PA

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