2017 Wildfire Season: Old Cajon Year in Review

From San Bernadino Co. (CA) FFs, an 18 minute video highlighting their 2017 wildfire season.


Direct link to video on Youtube from San Bernadino Co. (CA) FFs

IMETs in action: June 11th

Wildfire activity is starting to ramp out in western portions of the United States, and this means more National Weather Service (NWS)  Incident Meteorologists (IMET) are being deploy to provide onsite weather support on wildfires including providing weather forecasts and briefings for the crews working the wildfire.

There is a nice photo essay showing scenes from IMET's working wildfires posted on June 7th on the NWS IMET Facebook Page.

Here is some information on IMET deployments for the last week, deployment information is from the NWS IMET Facebook Page for the relevant date:

• On June 6th, a NWS IMET from the US National Weather Service Southern Region HQ was deployed to the Scenic Loop Complex near Fort Davis Texas. This fire has burned 26,042 acres and is 80 percent contained on June 11th, helicopters and SEATs are working this fire. A NWS IMET Trainee from the US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas traveled to the Scenic Loop fire on June 8th.
• On June 7th a NWS IMET from the US National Weather Service Grand Junction Colorado was deployed to the 416 Fire near Durango CO, as I write this the wildfire has burned 22,131 acres and is 10 percent contained, helicopters including at least one type-1 helicopter is or was working this fire.. In addition, a NWS IMET Trainee from the US National Weather Service Albuquerque New Mexico was deployed the 416 Fire on June 10th. Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported on this fire on June 8th (with a spectacular photo of 
• A NWS IMET from the US National Weather Service Flagstaff Arizona traveled to the Soldier Canyon Fire near Mescalero New Mexico (no information on Inciweb), but I did find a June 11th update on this fire from nmfireinfo reporting that this wildfire had burned 1,300 acres and was at 28 percent containment. Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are or were working this fire.

My thanks to the NWS IMETS for all that you are doing to keep those working on your assigned wildfires safe. Your briefings, forecasts, and other weather support services you are providing save lives! Stay safe.

Reflections: not enough firefighting air tankers and helicopters

If you have not been following Bill Gabbert’s articles on Fire Aviation about the decrease in the number of air tankers on an exclusive use (EU) contract with the USFS in 2018, I hope you take a few moments to read Bill's February16th article, "Air tankers to be cut by one-third in 2018", if not now the after you finish this article. Bill writes that there were 20 air tankers on an exclusive use contract with the USFS in 2017. In 2018 there will only be 13 heavy air tankers on exclusive use contracts with the United States Forest Service (USFS). There will be air tankers on call when needed (CWN) contracts with the USFS but at a higher cost.

And the decrease in aerial resources on exclusive use contracts does not stop with large air tankers. Bill reports that the number of type 1 helicopters on exclusive use contracts will be lower, I do not know if there will be any type 1 helicopters on CWN contracts. Exclusive use contracts for the two super scoopers are not being renewed, and the USFS program to convert USCG C-130s to aerial firefighting configuration may be discontinued.

I don’t know about you, but I find this quite alarming. Yes, as Bill reports, there will be air tankers on call when needed contracts with the USFS, but at an increased cost. I do not think that my concerns are original. But I want to express my concerns as a show of support to those in the business of flying wildfires under federal contracts.

Following up on Bill Gabbert’s comments on the higher costs and other concerns about the CWN contracts along with the reduction in available EU contracted aircraft, it is just a matter of time during this 2018 wildfire season when all EU contracted aircraft will be assigned to fires, so the call will go out for additional aircraft to work wildfires. So, the USFS asks those contractors on CWN contracts if they have available aircraft. As Bill points out in his February 21st article, the cost of aircraft under a CWN contract is higher than under an EU contract. It stands to reason that the contractors may try obtain other contracts for their CWN aircraft. Or perhaps, sadly, they haven’t other contracts, deciding that it costs too much to keep a CWN aircraft and crew ready to fly fires so the aircraft sits without a contract. What happens then?

Not only does the CWN contractor have to have available aircraft, they also have to have available crew and maintenance personal. What happens if that crew can not afford to sit around with no pay waiting for the call to fly? Perhaps they get other flying jobs in the meantime. What happens then?

Wildfire activity can occur any time of year. Perhaps a State has State-contracted aircraft to augment their State-owned aircraft during a spring, summer, or fall wildfire season (aka designated wildfire season). They may also have arrangements to use State-based National Guard aerial resources during times of high fire activity.  Sometimes these wildfires, even those that occur after the designated wildfire season, can be bought under control without needing put out a call for federal aviation resources. For example, in New Jersey, where I live, in recent years wildfires occurring outside of the designated wildfire season have been brought under control without the need to request USFS tankers or type 1 helicopters. It is just a matter of time before there will be a very large wildfire in New Jersey or elsewhere in the Northeast that “require” federal tankers and type 1 helicopters. The State could put out the call for such aircraft, it is likely that none will be available. What happens then?

Speaking of “State-owned” and State-contracted aircraft, what happens in States where for some reason there is a shortage of such aircraft used in firefighting. What happens then?

There are not enough heavy tankers and type 1 helicopters on EU contracts. As I write this, the status of the SEAT contracts are unknown. No scoopers, and perhaps the USFS program to convert CoastGuard C-130s to firefighting configuration will be discontinued. There are not enough aerial resources to fight wildfires. With the possibility of worsening droughts in parts  of the country, I am afraid of what I’ll happen. More wildfires and not enough aircraft?


Further reading, you will want to read the February 21st article and comment, Shrinking the Fleet on the Associated Aerial Firefighters website to read about the reduction in the number of air tankers on USFS exclusive use contracts.

D- Day remembrances

For Frank, you were there at D-Day. And for your wife Rose who stayed at home waiting for you. And you came home and had a long and happy life together.



Direct link to Youtube video from Time


Direct link to video from Sky News

2018 Hurricane Season - an early start 2 of 2

I wrote on Friday,  June 1st about the official start of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, where I discussed NOAA's hurricane hunter aircraft. Today I want to mention the C-130J hurricane hunter aircraft flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing. You may want to read about their WC-130J Hercules Aircraft and the special equipment used on their WC-130Js.

Here is a 10 minute video about the WC-130J Hercules Hurricane Hunters, it is dear to my heart because they are talking about flying Super Storm Sandy.


Direct link to You Tube video from NYC Aviation TV

2018 Hurricane Season - an early start

Past readers of this blog know that I am interested in other uses of aircraft used in non-military reconnaissance missions, especially including but not limited to the aircraft operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I am especially interested in NOAA's Hurricane Hunter Aircraft. I'll get to these aircraft in a minute.

While today, June 1st, is the official start of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, I expect that many of you know that we got an early start to the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season with Tropical Storm Alberto that came ashore in the Florida Panhandle earlier this week, see this graphic from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to see Alberto's path. The last public advisory for Alberto from the NHC was issued on Tuesday, May 29th and may be found here. For those so inclined you can find a listing of all Alberto advisories issued by the NHC on this NHC web page. The National Hurricane Center has a good website with links to a variety of information about hurricanes including a map on their main page. You may switch between Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific to get a different map.

Many of you know that NOAA's Hurricane Hunters as well as the C130 Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" fly into hurricanes to collect data. You may go this link from NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to learn more about NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft. As I write this, there are four youtube videos on that page: NOAA Ocean Today on Hurricane Hunters, Views from Hermine, Hurricane Hunter in flight, and how the dropsonde is used.

If you are interested in tracking the Hurricane Hunters (NOAA's and those flown by the 53rd Weather Reconn Squadron) in real time, you may go this live recon page from tropicalatlantic dot com. Finally the NHC has an aircraft reconnaissance page that may be found here, where you will see the reconn reports from each flight, and they include a link where you may learn how to read the reports.

I do want to introduce you to NOAA's  Hurricane Hunter Aircraft before you go and read more about the Hurricane Hunters. Here is a short video from USA Today shot in May 2017 where you will meet the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft up and close and personal. I'll write more about the C-130s flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" in my next post.


Direct link to video from USA Today on Youtube

IMETs assigned to Buzzard Fire (NM)

Regular followers of this blog know that I am big fan of the National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists, according to the US National Weather Service IMET FB About Us Facebook Page, an Incident Meteorologist (IMET) is a National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist specially trained to provide onsite weather support at wildfires and other all-hazard incidents.”

IMETs provide forecasts and briefings that all personnel working the wildfire to ensure the safety of all wildland firefighters and their support teams who are working the wildfire. If you are interested in learning about NWS IMETs as the 2018 wildfire season continues, you can read the NWS IMET Facebook Page, it is publicly available so you don’t need a Facebook account to read. Among the things they post about are IMET assignments to wildfires and other incidents along with fire safety tips and posts about NWS Fire Forecasting.

I went to the NWS IMET Facebook Page today to find about recent IMET assignments. I saw that two IMETs, including an IMET trainee were assigned to the Buzzard Fire in NM last week. I’ll get to the two IMETs in a moment. But first a little about the Buzzard Fire in NM. The Buzzard Fire is currently burning in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, the fire has burned 20,300 acres and is at 34% containment as I write this. The Buzzard Fire was discovered on May 22nd. I found a map dated, May 28th on this Buzzard Fire Inciweb page that I am sharing below this paragraph. For those that like satellite photos of wildfires, here are some nice satellite photos of the Buzzard Fire, also from the Buzzard Fire Inciweb page, the satellite photos may be found here.

Obtained on May 30, 2018 from https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/photograph/5814/0/78172

Now to the IMETs that were assigned to this fire last week. I don’t know for sure if they are currently assigned to the Buzzard Fire, but they were on the fire late last week. On May 24th an IMET from the US National Weather service El Paso Texas was enroute to the Buzzard Fire, see this NWS IMET May 24th Facebook Post. Then two days later, on May 26th, an IMET trainee from the US National Weather Service Elko Nevada was enroute to the Buzzard Fire, see this NWS IMET May 26th Facebook Post  Thank-you IMETs for your work on the Buzzard Fire, what you do helps to keep the wildland firefighters safe as they work the wildfire. Stay safe!

A tribute to those who have died serving their country

On this Memorial Day, I want to remember all who have fallen while serving their country, not just in the USA but across the globe. While the Youtube Video that I am embedding focuses on the United States, I am remembering all soldiers from all over the world who have died in service to their country.


Direct link to video on Youtube

Cooperative Burns in Iowa (2018)

Here is a nice 13 minute video highlighting the 2018 cooperative burn week in Iowa. Cooperative burns is another phrase for what I refer to as prescribed burning. I found this video interesting because I learned a little about how cooperative burns work in Iowa.


Direct link to video by bdelder42

Protecting your home from wildfire: things you can do

Following up on the post that I made yesterday on structure protection strategies used by structure firefighters in the wildland-urban interface, I want to share a couple of videos with you on things you can do to protect your home from wildfires. Both of these videos focus on the work of Dr. Jack Cohen, a fire science researcher with the US Forest Service. I would encourage you to go the FirewiseUSA website where there are many resources that you can access to learn how to protect your home from wildfire. There are over 1500 FirewiseUSA sites (or communities), a listing of these sites may be found here or you may look at an interactive map where you my learn about each community, for example you can zoom in on your state and learn about firewise sites in your state.

The first video, just under 20 minutes long, seems to have been done many years ago. In this video you learn about research focusing on how wildfires lead to home ignitions, following up with some tips on what you can do to protect your home. I include this video for an historical perspective on Dr. Cohen's fire science research.


Direct link to video from Public Resource Org


The second video is just over 13 minutes and was done more recently. Dr. Cohen takes you through the danger posed by fire brands to homes and other buildings. He then takes you through an example of a home that has many ignition sources around the house and what the homeowner can do to create a defensible space around a home, finally there is an interview with a homeowner whose house survived a wildfire thanks to creating a defensible space.


Direct link to video from the National Fire Protection Association

Structure protection on the wildland-urban interface

Thanks to a wildland firefighter friend for making me aware of a good, 20 minute video, from the National Fire Protection Association on structure protection in the wildland-urban interface. The video is apparently aimed at structure firefighters. Included among the issues that this video looks at are various techniques to protect structures in the interface, developing plans, communications, and the importance of training with with wildland firefighters. While aimed at structure firefighters, as someone who is not a firefighter but is an interested observer (so to speak) I learned a lot. I hope that you take the time to watch this video,


Direct link to video

More on Prescribed Burns & Other Training in New Jersey

Continuing with two more videos highlighting the work the New Jersey Forest Fire Service does. In the first video you will see a video where you will more about prescribed burns in New Jersey along with a little history and fire ecology. This is a great video, just under ten minutes, I learned a lot and I think that you will as well.


Direct link to video

The second video is a short video highlight recent basic training (S130/S190) for wildland firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, volunteer fire fighters, Air National Guard, and the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.


Direct link to video

Thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page for sharing these videos on this weeks video of the week page.

2017 Wildfire Season: Del Rosa Hotshots

On a day when I will be tied up with some family business all day, I thought that you'd enjoy this video from the Del Rosa Hotshots summarizing their 2017 wildfire season.



Direct link to video

Prescribed burns in New Jersey

Prescribed burning season in New Jersey is over now, the next prescribed burning season in New Jersey, but as I understand it the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) conducts prescribed burns in February and early March of each year, prior to the spring wild fire season, see this NJFFS webpage for more information on prescribed burns in New Jersey.

I saw a nice video, under three minutes, from the North Jersey newspaper on their Facebook account the other day. You may go to the North Jersey Facebook page to watch the video. In this video you will see how the New Jersey Forest Fire Service does prescribed burns. What happens in your State or Country may be a little different, but you will get the idea.

New Jersey 2018 Wildfire Season: Air Tanker Contracts End Soon

As I write this on May 11, 2018, the spring 2018 wildfire season in New Jersey is nearing its end. At least if you are looking at one the aviation contracts end, this spring wildfire season is nearing its conclusion. That is, I believe that Tanker 81, the AT-802 that is on contract in central New Jersey at Miller Air Park (aka Ocean County Airport) in Toms River is going off contract at the end of the day. Tanker 61, an AT-602, remains on contract in southern New Jersey out of Downstown Aero near Vineland NJ through May 15th. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

As I understand it, the NJFFS helicopters with buckets and observation aircraft will continue to be available, as needed, to work to suppport the wildland firefighters on the ground.

I want to thank each Tanker pilot and their ground crews for the work you have down this season to support the wildland firefighters on the ground. Each of you have flown a few wildfires this season, thank-you for your service. Your work won't be forgotten. We are better off with you than without you. I hope that both of you will be back next season.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the New Jersey Forest Fire Service wildland firefighters and your mutual aid partners for the work that you have done and will continue in fighting wildfires. You do so to keep us in New Jersey safe. Thank-you for your ongoing service. As each Airtanker goes off contract, your work continues. Thank-you for that. My wish is for you to stay safe.

A little about how SEATs work wildfires in support of ground crews

Thanks to Mike Archer of the Wildfire News of the Day who shared a nice video report and article from News12 New Jersey. The report and article may be found here, where you can read about the SEAT, an Air Tractor 802 that is on contract in Central New Jersey at Miller Air Field through May 11th. This SEAT will be on other contracts after she leaves New Jersey so what you learn here is applicable to other locations and to SEATs in general. A longer video report with a longer interview with the SEAT pilot and a representative from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service may be found on this News12 New Jersey webpage. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the provided embed code to work.You should be aware that News 12 New Jersey has a pay wall, where you get a limited number of free views (3 to 5) without having a paid account. You should be able to read the report and watch the videos for free.

Even with these problems, I am taking a chance that most of you will be able to watch these two videos and have included links to the article with short video and a link to the longer video report.

Southern Great Plains (OK) Elevated Fire Weather: week of May 7th

Sorry folks, I meant to post this yesterday.

I haven't forgotten about my friends in Oklahoma. I understand that they are expected to see elevated fire weather conditions for this week, the week of May 7th. See this Facebook post from the NWS Norman Oklahoma from earlier today, May 7th to see the fire conditions

I took a screen shot for you from the Oklahoma Forest Fire Service Daily Situation for May 7th (go here for a better copy of the report (PDF file). I will try to stay aware of wildfires that might crop in Oklahoma and environs this week.

New Jersey 2018 Wildfire Season: May 4th update

In regards to fire weather in New Jersey and environs, while it is still windy in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern and central New Jersey, eastern Maryland, and Delaware, higher relative humidities mean that there are not enhanced fire weather conditions. Here is a discussion of fire weather from the May 4th 12:40 PM  Forecast Discussion issued by the National Weather Service Mt. Holly New Jersey

FIRE WEATHER...
Southwest winds are forecast to increase to 15-20 mph with gusts
of 25-35 mph this afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values are
expected to be in the mid to upper 30s this afternoon across
southeastern Pennsylvania, southern and central New Jersey,
eastern Maryland and Delaware this afternoon. So despite windy
conditions this afternoon, an enhanced threat for fire spread is
not anticipated at this time. 

The passage of a cold front tonight will bring a chance of
showers and thunderstorms as well as cooler temperatures,
helping to further decrease the fire weather threat. Additional
shower activity is expected over the weekend.

Yesterday, May 3rd) there were smaller wildfires across the state. Tankers 61 (New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division C in southern NJ and 81 (NJFFS Division B, central NJ) each responded to a small fire in their respective Divisions. Tanker 81 responded to a small wildfire in Barnegat (Ocean County) New Jersey, see this article from the Asbury Park Press for more information. Tanker 61 responded to a small, 1 acre brush fire in Salem County making two drops. There were a few wildfires in northern New Jersey that the Huey helicopter (with bucket) from NJFFS Division A responded to. Thanks my friends for providing this information.

Red Flag Warning (May 3rd) Central & Southern NJ

Red Flag Warnings are in place until 8 PM for Central and Southern NJ until 8 PM on May 3rd. A Special Weather Statement for Enhanced Fire Weather is in place for Northeast NJ and New York City, as well as Delaware, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Weather Forecast Map for May 3rd from NWS Mt Holly (Red Flag in Red)

Enhanced Fire Weather conditions are expected in Central and Southern New Jersey for Friday, May 4th.

My friends in Central and Southern New Jersey tell me that with the exception of a couple of small wildfires things were quiet yesterday, May 2nd. The only other wildfire activity that I know about in northern New Jersey yesterday was association with a small plane crash near Greenwood Lake Airport in norther Passaic County, NJ. Helicopter drops were made. For more information, see this report from NBC4 in New York City

Here is a nice report with video from Southern New Jersey Today published on May 2nd about the fire danger in Southern New Jersey. Sorry, I can not get the embed to work, please take a couple of minutes to go to the link and watch the video.

As for wildfires today, the only one I know about is a small wildfire in Barnagat Township, Ocean County,  NJ that required evacuations of 21 homes for a short time, that fire is now contained. An aircraft worked the fire in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. See this article from Patch (Barnegat NJ) and this article from the Asbury Park Press for more information.

Red Flag Warnings (May 2nd): New Jersey and Eastern Pennyslvania

May 2nd at 8:20 PM

The Daily Record of Morris County, NJ had a report with a video clip of the small brush fire that I referred to earlier today. Delta 7 (helicopter with bucket) made a total of four drops on this brush fire, off of busy Rte. 206 near Mt. Olive, New Jersey. Wildland firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) with the help of a number of fire companies and the NJFFS brought the brush fire under control in about 75 minutes early this afternoon. A direct link to the article and video report from the Daily Record (May 2nd) may be found here. This is the only wild/brush fire activity that I know about, I suspect that there were other wildfires around the state that I do not know about at this time.

May 2nd at 2:06 PM

The brush fire referred to an updated Facebook post from the Flanders Fire Co. #1 (posted at about noon today with a later update) may be the brush fire that my friend told me about, and if it is reported to be extinguished. Nice job everyone, thanks for keeping us safe!

May 2nd at 12:00 PM

Yesterday, May 1st, we see enhanced fire weather conditions in New Jersey. My friends in Central and Southern New Jersey tell me that things were quiet yesterday. Although perhaps there were some smaller brush fires that were quickly contained. I know of one small brush fire in Northern New Jersey yesterday, I suspect that there were more. The Quakertown NJ Fire Company - 91 Fire/Rescue reported on Facebook that a a two-acre fire in Franklin Township NJ was controlled

Today there are more Red Flag Warnings, today for all of New Jersey and adjoining areas of Eastern Pennsylvania through 9PM tonight, see this post on Facebook by the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly NJ for more information.

As I understand it, during Red Flag Warnings, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) has engines on patrol in all affected Divisions. Today this would mean that all three Divisions have patrols on the road. And of course all fire towers are manned. Tanker 61 (AT-602, NJFFS Division C, So NJ), Tanker 81 (AT-802, NJFFS Division B, Central NJ), and the Helicopter and bucket in NJFFS Division A (NO. NJ) are manned and ready to fly to assist the firefighters on the ground should the call come. Patrols on the road coupled with fire tower observers will mean a quick response. Thanks to a knowledgeable friend, I am hearing about a brush fire in Morris County where the Division A Helicopter and bucket was working the brush fire. I have no other information, and when and if I do I will update this post.

I am also hearing about a tractor trailer that is or was on fire off of Interstate 78 in Clinton NJ (Hunterdon County). I have no reason to believe that this tractor trailer led to a brush fire. I'd imagine that the first responders got to the tractor trailer pretty quickly. But the smoke was visible for miles. Those who are interested may go to this NJ Advance Media article for more information.