Reflections on wildland firefighting and other emergency responders during a national emergency

As I write this post today, with the exception of essential trips, I have been sheltering-in-place for the last three to four weeks. I started this to be sure I was healthy for a cataract surgery earlier this month. Then Covid-19 cases ramped up in the United States, including my part of the country, so I took sheltering in place more seriously.

I did think about trying to write something about how the Covid-19 pandemic might affect wildland firefighting. I finally decided that such an article would be time consuming to research to try to get the best information for you. But more important, writing such an article is beyond my knowledge and capabilities. I suspect that all or most of you have seen various federal and local websites devoted to Covid-19 along with local journalism. Those of you who are wildland firefighters may, undoubtedly, know more than I about where to find information on how you handle Covid-19 and other infectious diseases on the fireline. So, If you are here looking for such information, I leave you to your own devices to find the information you are looking for. 

So, why am I mentioning Covid-19 at all? I mention this virus to provide a context for this post that I am writing in the middle of this pandemic.

I write this post for wildland firefighters who are considered essential workers along with structure firefighters, law enforcement personnel, EMT’s and ambulance drivers, medical personnel, National Guard troops, and other first responders.

I want all of you who are first responders, including but not limited to wildland firefighters to know that I am paying attention. I can only imagine the additional risks that wildland firefighters might be taking as you fight wildfires during a pandemic in order to keep us safe. I suspect that your training covers measures you can use to safe as you fight wildfires, whether it be on the ground, in the air, or the various support staff.

Wildfire season occurs at different times in different parts of the United States. The same may be true in your country. However, in some parts of the United States, the wildfire season never really ends.

I thank you, who are wildland firefighters and other first responders, for all you are doing, at added risk to yourself and your families, to keep us safe.

I thank the first responders in my town and elsewhere for your service, in my case some of you are volunteers for what you are doing to keep us safe.

To all wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air, I think of you daily and will continue to keep you in thoughts and meditations as this pandemic continues.

Friday Fun: Ag Aviation

I want to end this week on a light note. Many of you know that I have a great deal of respect for all who are involved in Ag Aviation. I have seen these special Ag Planes up close and personal, including watching spraying operation in the New Jersey Barrens spraying our New Jersey Cranberries (see my March 13th post featuring Downstown Aero Crop Services. What a treat that was. Here are some fun video of Ag Planes in action. 

Direct link to video on Youtube

Direct link to video on Youtube

Reflections on CL-215.415 amphibious air tankers

I first became acquainted with the CL-215/415 amphibious  air tankers in the spring of 2009 (e.g, see my April 2009 article) shortly after I began writing about aerial wildland firefighting. The CL-215 was built by Canadair, first flew in 1967, This amphibious airtanker scoops water out of a waterbody. The CL-215T was a turboprop version of the CL-215 resulting in an increase in power. In 1986 Canadair soled the manufacturing rights to Bombardier. Based on the success of the CL-215T, Bombardier introduced the CL-415, with two turboprop engines. The CL-415 is often referred to as the “super scooper.” Many of the videos that you might see of these amphibious air tankers around the internet are likely to be CL-415s. I love watch these videos of the CL-215/415 aircraft in action. I have seen videos of these aircraft scooping and working fires, often in pairs, inU.S., Canada, and in Europe. Scoop and drop, scoop and drop.

In November 2016 Bombradier sold the manufacturing rights to Viking Air, see Bill Gabbert’s November 2016 Fire Aviation article for more information and this 2016 press release from Viking Air. Viking’s page on the 415 may be found here. For a discussion of the CL-215T vs the CL-415 including information about the CL-415EAF go here. Bill Gabbert wrote about Viking's CL-415EAF  upgrade in this March 2020 article.

Here is a nice article from yubanet on the visit of one of Aero-Flite’s CL-415s to Grass Valley Airport in June of 2019. I believe that this aircraft was on a call-when-needed contract with the USFS.

Among the operators of the CL-415 that I know of in the United States and Canada are Air Spray, Aero-Flite , and Babcock. In 2016 the United States Forest Service awarded a five year exclusive use contract to Aero-Flite for two of their CL-415s for five years, that contract was cancelled in after the 2017 wildfire season, see Bill Gabbert’s November 29, 2017 Fire Aviation article for more information . I believe, but am not sure, that a couple of Aero-Flite’s 415’s have been under a call-when-needed contract with the USFS in 2018 and 2019.

The Province of Quebec has a fleet of CL-415s, they have leased two of this amphibious aircraft to Los Angeles County each fall for over 25 years, go this September 2019 press release from the County of Los Angeles for more information.

Here are a couple of short videos of CL-415's working fires in Europe:


Direct link to video on Youtube


Direct link to video on Youtube

Helitack: Oregon Department of Forestry (2015)

Even though I have to wait for my second cataract surgery until May, I am  getting used to working at the computer. This means that I am starting get back to doing the background work I need to do write more of what I am calling reflection articles on air tankers and helicopters. I hope to post one this Wednesday. Along those lines, I want to share a video showing helitack where helicopters deliver wildland firefighters to remote areas to fight wildfires. Here is a 7 minute video of an ODF helitack team fighting wildfires in 2015. This is probably a rerun, if so it so it is worth seeing again.


Direct link to video on Youtube

Friday Fun: Fun airplane videos

I don't know about you, but in light of the Novel Corona Virus pandemic and how that this is impacting the lives of some of us, myself included, I feel like doing something fun and aviation related in this post.

So I am posting two of my favorite fun aviation videos.

The first one, slightly more serious, shows two beautiful restored WW II era aircraft, a B-17 and a B-25 flying over Arizona. If you are accessing this post on a computer, for full effect click on the link to go to Vimeo to watch in landscape mode.


H5 - WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape from H5 Productions on Vimeo.

Prescribed Burn Season in New Jersey ended

I had been aware of the prescribed burning (RxB) season in New Jersey, I do not quite recall when the season officially starts. This year it may have started a little earlier because of the warmer winter. The first post I made about the RxB season in New Jersey was on February 3rd, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) issued a press release about RxB on February 25th saying that the RxB season was officially underway. I usually make more posts about the RxB season here in New Jersey. but distractions due to my recent cataract surgery, I made fewer posts then normal. But, I do want to assure all that I was aware and paying attention.

A friend of mine gave me a heads up the other day that the RxB season in New Jersey officially ended on March 15th. I think that this is the normal date when the season ends. But sometimes the RxB season is extended. Not so this year because of recent dry conditions. Kudos to the NJFFS for a job well done.

The NJFFS received national accolades for their Prescribed Burn program in 2019, the 84th year that they have done Prescribed Burns, here is a copy of the 2019 press release announcing these national accolades. This year makes 85 years.

On a personal note and 2019 wildfire season: Middlefork Ranger District (OR) Crew 501 crew video

On a personal note, yours truly the author of this blog had cataract surgery on one eye a week ago, and the second cataract surgery is scheduled for next week. The surgery is being done in outpatient surgery center devoted only to eyes, so hopefully that will bode will during restrictions from Covid-19. Even with only one eye done, corrected for distance and mid-range, my vision is better. The eye surgeon cleared me to drive, which is great. Yes, I am staying close to home and practicing social distancing. And with my eye drops, I don't need to tell you how many times a day I am washing my hands.

I had planned last week's articles prior to my cataract surgery but had not prepared ahead for this week.

Working on the computer is a bit of a challenge until I get my second cataract surgery. I am getting used to where I have to see to see the computer. But it is a bit of a strain, so I try not to overdue.

I had something else planned for today's blog article, but I was feeling somewhat tired and decided to chill out this afternoon. So, this post is coming late in the day. Better late then never.

With that being said, I leave you with this 2019 crew video from Crew 501 from the Middlefork Ranger District in the Williamette National Forest in Oregon. 

Update on August 14, 2020: The video I shared when I first posted has since been deleted. 

Reflections on smaller SEATs Part 3 (300 to 799 gallon tanks) Downstown

I wrote on March 4th about Downstown and I want to continue with some more reflections about the wonderful folk at Downstown. My friends at Downstown have always answered my questions about wildland firefighting or ag aviation. What I do on my blog as I try to focus on wildland firefighting in New Jersey is easier because of Downstown. I have visited their airport and base of operations three times.  In May of 2012, they flew me down to their base in Vineland New Jersey for the afternoon. I had a great time and got to see their base and their planes up close and personal.

Here are some highlights from my visit, there may be some minor changes such as the designation of the SEATs and perhaps some newer equipment. But you will get an idea about what is involved in using a SEAT in southern New Jersey for wildland firefighting:

• dispatch
• loading area
• direct attack
• indirect attack

In addition to wildland firefighting, Downstown is an aerial agricultural operator. They provide a number of services including but not limited to crop fertilization, insect control, and winter cover crop seeding. 

In the fall of 2012, I drove down to the Pine Barrens while they were spraying cranberries. I saw them load the aircraft and spray the fields. It was wonderful. The also introduced me to some cranberry growers to see their operations. Nice to see where those very special New Jersey Cranberries come from and how they arrive at our tables for the Fall holidays. 

I will start with a few shots I took on Downstown’s airstrip in the Pine Barrens showing the fertilizer and and loading into the Air Tractor 602.

I will close by sharing to videos (combination of stills and videos) that I took during this visit.

Direct link to video 0f AT-602

Direct link to video of Ag Cat

El Grupo 43 from 2012

This is one of my favarite videos from El Grupo 43 (2012) scenes of their water scoopers, aka Bombardiers CL-415 working wildfires in Europe.



Direct link to video on Vimeo

Air Tractor 602: spraying wheat in South Africa

Air Tractor 602 can fight wildfires, but they also do ag aviation. Here is a nice video, almost 12 minutes of an AT-602 spraying wheat in South Africa. You will watch and listen to her while she and her pilot are working.

Enjoy!


Direct link to video

Reflections on smaller SEATs Part 2 (300 to 799 gallon tanks)

Over the years, I have come across Thrush aircraft as both Ag Aircraft used for crop dusting and insect control as well as as a SEAT for wildland firefighting, albeit with a tank under 800 gallons. A SEAT such as one of those built by Thrush may be used by state or local agencies during their wildfire season, either under contract or purchased out rightThe Georgia  Forestry Commission purchased two dual cockpit Thrush 510G aircraft with a switchback gate in 2017. The tank or hopper can hold up to 510 gallons. The switchback gate can be easily and quickly converted from firefighting operations to agriculture operations within a matter of minutes. While not something that Georgia will use the switchback configuration will add to the resale value. The benefit of the dual cockpit is that the Thrush can be used for training. See Bill Gabbert's December 2017 Fire Aviation article for more information about Georgia's Thursh 510G aircraft.

Here area two short videos of Georgia's Thrush 501G aircraft.

Direct link to video

Direct link to video

Reflections on smaller SEATs Part 1 (300 to 799 gallon tanks): Downstown

It has been my very great privilege to get to know the folk at Downstown Aero Crop Services out of Vineland New Jersey over the last 9 years or so. Downstown has had contracts with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) since 1967 up to and including 2019. That is forty-two years. As I write this, I am not sure about the status of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service contracts for aerial wildland firefighting for 2020.

With the exception of a visit to Ramona Air Attack Base in 2011, the only tankers that I have met up close and personal have been Downstown's SEATs.

Downstown started using Ag Cats for wildland firefighting under contract with the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service in 1967. When I visited the Air Attack Base in northern New Jersey in 2013, Downstown had some Ag Cats on contract with the NJFFS for the spring 2013 wildfire season, and I would like to show you a couple of photos from that visit. I do love the Ag Cats.

Ag Cats at  the NJ Forest Fire Service Air Attack Base in 2013

Ag Cats at  the NJ Forest Fire Service Air Attack Base in 2013

Since I took these photos in 2013, Downstown no longer uses Ag Cats for aerial wildland firefighting, but they continue to use Air Tractors. Here are a couple of photos of a Downstown Air Tractor 602 that I took in 2012.

Finally here is a short video of one of Downstown's Air Tractors dropping on a wildfire in the Cape May area of New Jersey area in 2013.


Direct link to video

I hope to be writing more reflections about smaller SEATs, stay tuned.

2020 New Jersey Forest Fire Service prescribed burns -March 2nd

As I wrote about on February 28th, it is prescribed burning season here in New Jersey, New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews from around the state were busy today doing prescribed burns. Not only do prescribed burns burn away brush, fallen leaves that can help ignite forest fires, they have benefit the ecosystem, see my February 28th article for more information.

Here are the locations of today's prescribed burns announced earlier today by the NJ Forest Fire Service on their Facebook Page:

DIVISION A
Sussex County

- Vernon - Wawayanda State Park

DIVISION B
Burlington County

- Shamong - Wharton State Forest

- Woodland - Wild Wings Hunting Club

- Tabernacle - South Park Gun Club

- Woodland - Brendan T Byrne State Forest
Monmouth County

- Wall - Allaire State Park

Ocean County

- Eagleswood - Sahara Sands

- Eagleswood - Stafford Forge WMA

- Lacey - Lacey Road

- Ocean - Pharo-Brookville Road

- Manchester - Whiting WMA
- Brick
- Manasquan WMA

- Jackson - Colliers Mills

DIVISION C
Atlantic County

- Estell Manor - Maple Lake WMA

- Hammonton - Wharton State Forest

- Galloway - Stockton University

Camden County
 
- Winslow - Winslow WMA

Cape May County
 
- Dennis - Belleplain State Forest

Cumberland County

- Maurice River - Belleplain State Forest

- Maurice River - Peaslee WMA

Gloucester County
 
- Glassboro - Glassboro WMA

2020 New Jersey Forest Fire Service prescribed burning season is underway

I have noted over the last couple of weeks that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) had been conducting prescribed burns at some locations around the state for a couple of weeks now, perhaps because the weather had been favorable.  Now it is official, in a press release dated February 25th, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service talked about their prescribed burning program, the press release may be found here. The press release speaks to the importance of prescribed burns and why the NJFFS does them in the late winter months:

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are generally conducted during late winter months to reduce the amount of smoke produced and because weather conditions tend to be more predictable for safer controlled fires. The lack of snow and ice on the ground so far this winter gives the Forest Fire Service a good start on conducting controlled burns to reduce wildfire risk. 

“Controlled burns have a number of benefits for our forests and ecosystems,” said Ray Bukowski, Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “In addition to burning away materials that can fuel wildfires, controlled burns can improve wildlife habitats, manage competing species of plants and trees, control insects and disease, and recycle important nutrients into the soil. All of these activities help keep New Jersey’s forest ecosystem vibrant and healthy.” 

During prime wildfire season, fallen leaves, branches and twigs are abundant, daylight increases, humidity can be low, and the air is often warm and windy. These weather conditions coupled with lack of new leaf growth makes the debris on forest floors more susceptible to the drying effects of wind and sun.

On February 24th,  some NJFFS  wildland firefighters in Division A were fighting the Rock Face Fire in the Delaware Water Gap of New Jersey, other NJFFS wildland firefighters were doing prescribed burns elsewhere in the state, see this February 24th Facebook post by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. One of those prescribed burns was done in the Mercer Meadows near Lawrenceville in Mercer County, New Jersey.

New Jersey Advance Media sent a reporter to the Pole Farm area of Mercer Meadows to report on this prescribed burn in a February 25th article (with photos and the video that I am embedding below). Jillian Stark of the Mercer County Park Commission had this to say about the benefits of this prescribed burn for this grassland: "Over time, the thatch layer acts as a barrier to new seed growth will increase the floral diversity here."


Direct link to New Jersey Advance Media video on Youtube

Reflections on SEATs (800 gallon tanks)

I have always had a lot of respect for Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs). Perhaps it is because SEATs were among the first type of tankers that I wrote about when I began this blog eleven years ago. Or perhaps it is because the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service contracts with SEATs for the spring wildfire season.

For this article, I am offering my reflections on SEATs with 800 gallon retardant tanks, many of whom were on some sort of national contract.Then there are the SEATs that are on State contracts. I think that some of these SEATs with 800 gallong tanks are Air Tractor 802F SEATs with the amphibious model being the Air Tractor 802F Fire Boss.

There are a lot of videos out there showing various aspects of SEAT operations in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground and I have shared many on my blog over the years, some more than once. Most of what I know about SEATs are from these videos along with some assorted newspaper and tv reports that I have seen over the years. I have a lot of respect for what the SEATs can do, sometimes I have seen them operate in pairs, bring twice the retardant capability to help the wildland firefighters on the ground. They do not require long landing strips. I suspect, but am not certain that they can operate off of dirt or turf strip if need be.

I know that the little that I know through watching videos and reading some articles only scratches the surface of what these SEATs can do. I applaud these gutsy smaller tankers that have a big heart. Kudos to their pilots and their support team.

Here are two videos for your enjoyment, at least you may have already seen ar least one of these videos on this blog. But reruns are always good.

The first video is from the Lake County Examiner in Oregon, an eight minute video report from the SEAT base with some discussions with SEAT pilots. I enjoyed the discussion of base operations as well as the insights of the SEAT pilots.


Direct link to video on Youtube

The second video is a little over two minutes taken from the cockpit of a SEAT over a  February 2018 wildfire in Texas.


Direct link to video on Youtube

2020 New Jersey Wildfires: Rock Face Fire almost contained

Obtained on February 25, 2020 from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service Facebook Page

There is good news about the Rock Face Fire, started  on Sunday afternoon February 23rd on Mt. Tammany in Worthington State Forest in New Jersey, (see my February 24th article). It remains at 80 acres burned and at last report is at 95 percent containment. In addition it has been raining on off since February 25th and more rain is in the forecast for tonight. See these news report from Lehigh Valley Live and WFMZ News 69 for more information.

My thanks to the wildland firefighters who had to hike up to the fire because it was inaccessible to their engines and to the pilot of Delta5 who made water drops on the fire. Thanks for keeping us safe, your work is appreciated.

2020 New Jersey Wildfires: Rock Face Fire, Worthington State Forest (Feb 24)

February 24th 5:45 PM

WFMZ News 69 in Allentown Pennsylvania is reporting that the Rock Face Fire is now at 80 acres and is at 80 percent containment. Officials with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service say that the fire will not be fully contained until there has been one-half inch of rain. There were about 40 wildland firefighters working the fire aided by water drops by a helicopter, probably Delta 5. The News 69 article had an interesting report on behavior of the Rock Face Fire.

Chris Franek, the state forest fire service's assistant division fire warden, said fires on similar terrain usually burn upward but that Sunday's fire, which started below a trail at an elevation of about 1,400 feet burned downhill because the trail area is rocky and without abundant vegetation. He said fires are rare there at this time of year because the area usually has a layer of snow.

According to LehighValleyLive in an article (with a photo gallery) updated today at 4:11 PM, there was a 3 PM conference call with Chris Franek, the NJFFS Assistant Division State Warden:

Though the fire and emergency response closed some of the trails to the summits overlooking the Delaware River in northern Warren County, the blaze mostly affected brush and fallen leaves and appeared to spare the wooded parklands any serious, lasting damage. 

“It was almost like a rejuvenation process” clearing undergrowth from the woods, said Chris Franek, an assistant division fire warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, during a 3 p.m. conference call updating media on the operation’s status.

February 24th 8:40 AM revised 11 AM

The Rock Face Fire started on February 23rd near the Red Dot Trail on Mt. Tammany. The command post is at the Dunnfield Creek Parking lot off of Interstate 80 West just before you cross into Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service Huey Helicopter known as Delta 5 worked the fire yesterday afternoon until night fall shut her down. I understand that wildland firefighters from the NJ Forest Fire Service as well as the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are fighting the fire. This is a fire that requires wildland firefighters to hike in to fight the fire. Approximately 70 acres have burned.

When I was younger with better knees, I hiked up Mt. Tammany on the Red Dot Trail, it is a very nice trail and it is quite steep in spots. The State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap Recreation area are open, but trails in the area are closed to hiking. Interstate 80 is open with one lane blocked.

Thank-you to my friends from NJFFS Section B10 who made me aware of this wildfire this morning.

I do not know the exact location of the Rock Face Fire, but I do want to share a screen shot from Google Earth of the area where the fire is.  You will see the trail head for the red dot trail up Mt. Tammany in New Jersey. I believe that the incident command center is a parking area just to the west of the red dot trail head.

Information on the Rock Face Fire

Monday Morning (February 24th) update from Section A3 District Wardens Association Facebook Page

LehighValleyLive (February 24th)

WFMZ News 69 (Allentown PA) report with photos and video (February 24th)
More photos from the Section A3 Wardens Facebook Page may be found here, here, here and here

These videos that I am sharing below were posted on the Section A3 Wardens Facebook Page, depending on your privacy settings and the browser you are using, you may not see the videos. But you may find the video of the Delta 5 may be found here and a short video of the wildfire taken on the evening of February 23rd may be found here.

NSW Rural Fire Service says thank-you in a big way

I was very moved when I saw this video on the NSW Rural Fire Service Facebook Page earlier today. The Ad Agency Silvercast Media paid for the ad spaceon the large billboard in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. If you do not see the video from Facebook embedded below, check out the above referenced link. For more information see

1010 WINS NYC 
CNN

Airtanker video: view from a SEAT cockpit (2012 fire season)

With Monday's post on DC-7 Tanker 62 I am resuming doing background work leading to what I hope will be more reflections on different airtankers. Hopefully this background work won't take too long.

In the meantime, I offer you a four minute video from the 2012 fireseason taken from the cockpit of a SEAT working that years wildfires. It is likely that I have shared this video at some point over the last six years, if so it is worth seeing again.


Direct link to video on Youtube

Reflections on DC-7 Tanker 62

A little over 10 years ago, I had seen a few references on the internet to Douglas DC-7 aircraft that were (and still are) used as tankers. I had always been interested in the Douglas series of aircraft, so I asked an aviation historian friend and former tanker pilot if he could help me find more information on the DC-7 Tankers. To make a long story short, he introduced me to Larry Kraus over e-mail who was the Captain (Pilot-in-Command) of T-62, under contract with the State of Oregon. What followed was an e-mail correspondence lasting about six to eight months.



Through this e-mail correspondence, Larry, who had been the PIC of T-62 for some 20 years by this time, took me up close and personal inside the DC-7 through his photos and our correspondence. He showed me the controls of the aircraft, inside and out, including the controls for dropping retardant, see this article I wrote in December 2009 for the summary of the first series I wrote, up close and personal with a DC-7 tanker. That series included several articles with some of Larry's wonderful photos of T-62. I offer it as a reference for those of you who might be interested in spending some time learning about the DC-7 tanker. I believe that T-62 continues to fly under contract with the State of Oregon with a different PIC as I believe that Larry has since retired.

I am very grateful for the time that Larry spent with me over e-mail, I can adequately describe how much I learned from Larry. He was kind and patient, answering my many questions. Thank-you Larry! I am no longer in touch with Larry, but his words and photos have stayed with me over the years. I understand that each type of tanker will operate a differently, but he did give me a good introduction to what it is like to fly fires.

Of the many articles that I wrote about T-62 with Larry’s help, the one that I hope you look at is a series that I wrote in March 2010, DC-7 Tankers in Action. I had sent him a video of T-62 and her sister DC-7 Tanker, T-66.  Larry took some time, checking his logs and some photos from a lead plane, to describe what we were seeing in the video, where he annotated some of these photos. The result was this series on DC-& Tankers in Action. But first please take a couple of minutes to read this article where Larry described how he worked with a lead plane