NJ Forest Fire Service photo montage

This video is a nice photo montage of pictures from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service set to music.

Here we go again: 2010 Floods redux

I am again taking a break from posting about aerial wildland firefighting to report on the ongoing flooding concerns here in NJ. I have written about flooding in Little Falls NJ here and here. I want to say at this juncture that there are other Rivers in New Jersey that are flooding, for example the Millstone at Blackwell Mills, the Wanaque River at Pompton Plains, the Passaic River at Pine Brook (not far from Little Falls), and the Assunpick Creek in Trenton to name a few. Since I have written about the flooding at Little Falls on two prior occasions, I will follow up with the flooding of the Passaic River at Little Falls (the subject of the video that I embedded).

Forecasts today call for the Passaic to crest at Little Falls at about 8.2 feet (moderate flooding) late in the day tomorrow Wednesday. If this forecast holds, this will be over three feet lower than the flooding of a couple of weeks ago (11.76 feet -- major flooding).

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) is providing assistance to two communities affected by today's floods, Little Falls and Fairfield, see this report for more information. As I understand it, these communities requested the assistance of the NJFFS sometime yesterday to aid local officials in working the floods. The report I linked to provides an update on how the flood is affecting New Jersey. Earlier reports, posted New Jersey's current round of flooding may be found here and here. All these reports were posted to the hotlist forums at wildland fire. Thank-you to the NJFFS for helping out with the flooding.

Those of you who are interested in following along on the status of flooding in New Jersey may want to see this page, from the Advanced Hydrological Prediction Service of the Mt. Holly Office of the National Weather Service.

While I am at it, flooding is affecting other areas of the Northeastern United States including but not limited to Long Island NY, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Revised start dates for NJFFS contract aviation resources

A few days ago I wrote about the start dates for the SEAT contracts here in New Jersey, see this article. Due to the wet weather that we are having in New Jersey, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has revised the start dates for the SEAT contracts. The new start dates are:

Division A (northern NJ)
Aeroflex -- Alpha 2 -- 300 Ag-Cat -- 4/3 through 5/12 -- 40 Days (off contract)
Aeroflex -- Alpha 3 -- 300 Ag-Cat -- 4/3 through 5/12 -- 40 Days (off contract)
Division B (central NJ)
Miller -- Bravo 1 -- 602 Air Tractor -- 4/3 through 5/19 -- 47 Days
Allaire -- Bravo 2 -- 300 Ag-Cat -- 4/3 through 5/5 -- 33 Days
Division C (Southern NJ)
Downstown -- Charlie 1 -- 602 Air Tractor -- 4/3 through 5/12 -- 40 Days (off contract)
Hammonton -- Charlie 2 -- 300 Ag-Cat -- 4/3 through 5/12 -- 40 Days (off contract)

British Aerospace BAe-146 and Berieve Be-200

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today has recently reported on the status of two fixed-wing aircraft that might have implications for aerial wildland firefighting here in America: the British Aerospace BAe-146-200 and the Russian Berieve Be-200. Some of you may already be familiar with these developments, either through Bill's reporting or from other sources. I found these articles of interest, and am passing them on to you.

Bill reported in an article posted on March 28 that Tronos has converted a British Aerospace BAe146-200 for use as an air tanker. The tanker, which made a drop on a fire in Prince Edward Island Canada last August October has retardant tanks capable of holding 3,000 gallons of retardant. Bill also reports that Minden Air is in the process of converting another BAe-146 for use as a tanker. You will want to see Bill's article located here for more details, including information on approvals and certifications that have to happen before this tanker can fly in the U.S.

And those of you in California may get a chance to see the Russian Berieve Be-200 air tanker, an amphibious aircraft. The Be-200 is scheduled to appear at the Santa Maria (CA) airport for one week starting April 10. If approvals are obtained, plans call for a demonstration of the Be-200 in action, scooping water from Lake Cachuma and then making a demo drop. Negotiations between the U.S. and Russian governments, facilitated by David Baskett of Santa Maria, are ongoing. Mr. Baskett hopes to acquire 10 of these aircraft for eventual use as air tankers in America.

The Be-200 cleared customs in Alaska last week on its way to South America for a tour before a planed re-entry into the U.S. For more details, including some links to youtube videos of the Be-200 in action, see this article written by Bill Gabbert on Wildfire Today. Bill also noted that a website has been set up for the visit of the Be200.

I'd like to thank Bill for his blog, and for his good write-up on what is happening with both of these aircraft. I was aware of the pending visit of the Be-200 but other projects kept me from finding out more details. Then I saw Bill's article, along his article on the BAe-146, making my life easy! Thanks Bill!

NJ Paramount Fire - probable cause and air attack footage; Rx burns

Local media is reporting that investigators into the cause of last weekends Paramount Fire that burned 540 acres in Barnegat NJ may have been intentionally sent, see for example the video as well as reports by the Asbury Park Press here and here.

As you watch the video, you will see footage of what I believe is an Air Tractor 602 dropping slurry on the fire.

And yes, as the news broadcaster at myfoxphilly reported, it is prescribed burning season here in New Jersey. The Rx burning season has been hindered by recent snow and rain storms, see this article from the Atlantic City Press for more information.

Update #2: 2010 floods in NJ

Last Tuesday I wrote about new flood warnings for the Passaic River in Little Falls NJ, one of the areas in NJ that saw bad flooding after the nor'ester on March 13. The River crested below forcast levels and is now below flood stage at Little Falls.

While flood waters have receded, lets not forget that people in Little Falls, Bound Brook, Wayne and elsewhere in NJ will be cleaning up after these floods for awhile yet. As will folk in New England and South Dakota.

Firefighting Airtankers

A friend of mine sent me a link to Rambling Chief's article about this video. This is a short clip from a longer (80 minute)  film, Firefighting Airtankers: "Aerial Assault", an Alan Simmons / Firestorm Video Production. In this clip you will see footage of the:

Grumman S-2 (CAL Fire)
Lockheed Neptune P2-V
Lockheed Orion P-3
Canadair 215 and 415
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Tanker 910

There is some great footage in this clip, and I am looking forward to seeing the 80-minute version. At the end of the clip, you will see some footage of some vintage airtankers. To get the full effect, click on the video above to see it in a larger format directly from youtube.

Contract aircraft: New Jersey State Forest Service

Yes, in spite of all the rain that we have had in New Jersey, our spring fire season is upon us. As I understand it, the contract start date for the NJ Forest Fire Service SEATs was pushed back a few days because of the wet winter. At this time of year, fuels can dry out quickly, especially when there are winds and/or low relative humidity.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) divides the State up into three divisions, division A is includes counties in northern NJ, division B is central NJ, and division C is southern NJ. For more information on this geography, current wildfire danger and restrictions including a map go this NJFFS webpage.

Contract SEAT aircraft go on contract starting March 31 around the State for 33 to 47 days depending on type of SEAT and location. This year, and as they did last year, the NJFFS has contracted for AgCats as well as two Air Tractor 602s. For more information including some links to photos and videos, go here.

A couple of weeks ago a tentative schedule for contract aircraft was posted here. As I understand it, the call signs -- alpha, bravo, and charlie -- for the aircraft refer to the division where they will be based. Two Agcats will be based in northern NJ (Div. A) at Aeroflex-Andover Airport from March 31 through May 9. One AgCat (Allaire Airport, 3/31 to 5/2) and one AT-602 (Miller, 3/31 to 5/16) will be based in central NJ (Div. B). Finally one AgCat (Hammonton Airport) and one AT-602 (Downstown Airport) will be based in southern NJ (Div. C) from March 31 through May 9.

Update: 2010 floods in NJ

One of the areas in New Jersey that saw flooding last week is Little Falls, along the Passaic River.

The map above, obtained from this NWS webpage shows the location of the river gauge (the red dot). If you go to that webpage, you will also see a graph of river levels for the current seven day period. The graph shows recent, current and forecast levels of the Passaic River at Little Falls. Today's graph, shown below, shows that the current level is just above flood stage. The river is expected to crest sometime in the period from late afternoon Wednesday (3/24) into Thursday (3/25). Now, I got a graph (not shown here) last week showing that the River was at 11.76 feet on Tuesday, March 16. Still, this weeks flooding will only exacerbate the situation.

Paramount fire in NJ contained

The Paramount fire that I wrote about yesterday that burned 540 acres has been contained. I suspect that the rain that we are currently having here in NJ will finish the job. Here are two youtube videos from sectionB10 of the NJ Forest Fire Service showing images from the Paramount Fire. In the first video, shot from the east flank of the fire, you will see a back-fire that is "eating its way towards the main fire." Click on the video to see the information box supplied with the video for more information.



The next video shows the staging area for the fire.

NJ - Paramount Fire

The Paramount Fire, currently burning in Barnegat NJ in or near the Pine Barrens, has been burning since sometime yesterday (Saturday, March 20). The last offcial report that I saw dated earlier today, see this thread from wildland fire, indicated that the fire had consumed 488 acres and is 85 percent contained. About sixty residents were evacuated yesterday and are now home.

At least one contract aircraft, an Air Tractor 602, was deployed. The tanks in the AT-602 have a capacity of 600 gallons.

I don't know exactly where the fire is, but thanks to the report on the webpage of Section B10 of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, I have a pretty good idea of the general vicinity where the fire is located. The image below that I pulled from google earth will give you an idea of where I think it is located, near County Route 554 (which I believe is also W. Bay Ave.) on the west side of the Garden State Parkway.

While you are at the Section B10 webpage, check out the links for photos from the Paramount fire. And they have lots of very cool information about the goings on of the NJ Forest Fire Service. I have this page bookmarked and check it frequently.

For media reports and photos go here and here. According to media reports, some of this area was last burned in 2008. The media also reported that although the ground was still wet, the tops of the trees were dry, providing plenty of fuel for the fire.

Martin Mars in action

I've been busy this week with a couple of projects and other life events. So, I have dug through my stored videos from youtube and found this video from the 2009 Station Fire of the Martin Mars loading water and than making a drop on Mt. Wilson Observatory. I had the privilege of watching some footage of the Martin Mars last summer from a live stream out of one of the LA television stations. She is beautiful airplane, one of only two of a kind. I could watch her for hours. Enjoy!

Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter footage

LAFD Air Operations from David & Cameron Barrett on Vimeo.

Bill Gabbert embedded this video on his website, Wildfire Today, several days ago. It is a nice video of helicopter footage, part of an upcoming documentary shot by David and Cameron Barrett for a documentary on the history of the LA Fire Department. Some of you may have already seen the video on Bill's site. Since I have written about helicopters previously and because I thought that those of you who haven't already seen it might enjoy seeing it, I am embedding the video here. I hope the documentary makes it to the east coast so I can see it.

Thanks Bill! I'd encourage you to check out his site.

Nor'easter in Massachusetts

I would be remiss to leave out Massachusetts. The nor'easter has hung around Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island since late Saturday night. Some areas have eight inches of rain. Those of you interested in some media coverage, may want to go here or here.

See this public information statement from the Boston MA office of the National Weather Service:

000
NOUS41 KBOX 152257
PNSBOX
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-161052-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
656 PM EDT MON MAR 15 2010

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN FOR THE STORM THAT
HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. THESE ARE THE MOST RECENT STORM
TOTAL REPORTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND
MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME
PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON

********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************

LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
RAINFALL OF
(INCHES) MEASUREMENT


CONNECTICUT

...HARTFORD COUNTY...
WINDSOR LOCKS 1.22 537 PM 3/15 BDL AIRPORT

...WINDHAM COUNTY...
WILLIMANTIC 2.61 552 PM 3/15 ASOS

MASSACHUSETTS

...BARNSTABLE COUNTY...
HYANNIS 2.70 551 PM 3/15 ASOS

...BRISTOL COUNTY...
TAUNTON 5.84 554 PM 3/15 NWS OFFICE
RAYNHAM 5.10 911 AM 3/15 AMATEUR RADIO EAST RAY
ACUSHNET 5.08 1016 AM 3/15
NEW BEDFORD 4.56 549 PM 3/15 ASOS

...DUKES COUNTY...
VINEYARD HAVEN 2.48 605 PM 3/15 MVY AIRPORT ASOS

...ESSEX COUNTY...
TOPSFIELD 9.90 606 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
BEVERLY 7.98 417 PM 3/15 MEDIA
IPSWICH 7.71 332 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
BEVERLY 7.59 541 PM 3/15 ASOS
LAWRENCE 6.63 554 PM 3/15 ASOS
WEST PEABODY 6.25 320 PM 3/15 AMATEUR RADIO
SWAMPSCOTT 5.53 945 AM 3/15 SPOTTER
MARBLEHEAD 5.33 900 AM 3/15 SPOTTER
ROCKPORT 4.43 312 PM 3/15 SPOTTER

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...
ORANGE 1.43 607 PM 3/15 ASOS

...MIDDLESEX COUNTY...
CAMBRIDGE 8.08 530 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
BEDFORD 7.71 539 PM 3/15 ASOS
ACTON 7.47 1230 PM 3/15
WALTHAM 7.40 411 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
READING 6.98 1000 AM 3/15 COOP
WAKEFIELD 6.83 400 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
SOUTH BILLERICA 5.64 430 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
NORTH TEWKSBURY 5.55 526 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
FRAMINGHAM 5.24 1220 PM 3/15 SPOTTER

...NORFOLK COUNTY...
SOUTH WEYMOUTH 8.34 1201 PM 3/15 MEDIA
EAST MILTON 8.16 1000 AM 3/15 BLUE HILL OBSERVATORY
DEDHAM 6.50 600 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
MEDWAY 6.50 521 PM 3/15 AMATEUR RADIO
NORWOOD 6.34 609 PM 3/15 OWD AIRPORT ASOS
NORTH RANDOLPH 6.20 339 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
RANDOLPH 5.80 1050 AM 3/15
FRANKLIN 4.61 334 PM 3/15 SPOTTER

...PLYMOUTH COUNTY...
HALIFAX 6.74 431 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
BRIDGEWATER 6.25 1025 AM 3/15 SPOTTER
PLYMOUTH 5.57 610 PM 3/15 ASOS

...SUFFOLK COUNTY...
EAST BOSTON 6.84 540 PM 3/15 LOGAN AIRPORT
WINTHROP 6.42 300 PM 3/15 SPOTTER

...WORCESTER COUNTY...
MILFORD 5.30 1137 AM 3/15 SPOTTER
FITCHBURG 4.92 550 PM 3/15 ASOS
ASHBURNHAM 4.87 430 PM 3/15 COOP
SHREWSBURY 4.39 146 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
WORCESTER 3.75 608 PM 3/15 ORH AIRPORT ASOS

NEW HAMPSHIRE

...CHESHIRE COUNTY...
JAFFREY 4.88 530 PM 3/15 ASOS

...HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY...
FRANCESTOWN 5.45 625 PM 3/15 COOP OBSERVER
NASHUA 4.30 430 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
MANCHESTER 3.89 546 PM 3/15 ASOS
GOFFSTOWN 3.20 437 PM 3/15 SPOTTER

RHODE ISLAND

...KENT COUNTY...
WARWICK 3.62 544 PM 3/15 T.F. GREEN AIRPORT

...NEWPORT COUNTY...
MIDDLETOWN 2.38 615 PM 3/15 UUU AIRPORT ASOS

...PROVIDENCE COUNTY...
BURRILLVILLE 4.25 526 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
EAST PROVIDENCE 3.96 107 PM 3/15 SPOTTER
WOONSOCKET 3.42 1100 AM 3/15 SPOTTER

...WASHINGTON COUNTY...
WESTERLY 2.99 615 PM 3/15 ASOS

$$

EVT/WTB

NASCAR design for Wildland Firefighters Foundation: thank-you

I got this thank-you and updated from the designers of the WWF NASCAR design that I am passing on to you

Everyone,

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has voted and supported our NASCAR design in support of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. We achieved 14,662 votes, which for me, shows a phenomenal effort from everyone concerned.  Everyone who voted, linked and passed this on made this possible. It's YOU, that made this car what it is!  It could have never happened without your support.

Now we wait, until April 1, 2010. This is the date in which the Top 10 cars will be announced. Provided we have secured a position in the Top 10, this voting process will happen again.  Voting will be open for the Top 10 cars between April 1 through April 15, 2010. During this time frame, the voting will be more important than ever.  It will be from these 10 cars that the Grand Prize winner will be selected. I have just as much faith now, if not more,  as I did when I entered this contest.

Thanks again to all, we'll see you in the next round!
Tom and Debbie Janney

Nor'easter in NJ (part 4) - Bound Brook

Another town that often gets hit hard with floods is Bound Brook, NJ. The Raritan River passes through town as does two of its tributaries, the Middle Brook and Green Brook.

Nor'easter in NJ (part 3) - Hunterdon County

Heavy rains cause flooding along the South Branch of the Raritan River in Hunterdon County

Nor'easter in NJ (part 2) - six killed by falling trees

Nor'easter in NJ (part 1) -Wayne, NJ

I am sure that most of you have heard about the Nor'easter that hit NJ, NY, and CT this past Saturday before working its way up to New England. As a resident of NJ, I offer you these videos. The one above is talking about flooding in Wayne, NJ. Wayne is an area that is often hard hit by floods.

About the Wildand Fire Foundation

Wildland Firefighter Foundation 2010 from Paul Steele on Vimeo.

I'd like to thank Ramblings of Chief Officer for posting this video about the Wildland Fire Foundation (WFF) in a recent entry on his blog. Since I asked you to support the WFF by voting for the WFF NASCAR design (voting ends today!), I thought that you will enjoy this video. You will learn about what wildland fire fighters do and what this organization does for those wildland fire fighters who are hurt or injured on the job.