Tag Archives: brushfire

Vehicle I-D: Cal-Fire Bronco

Video October 8, 2021 Hutchins AAron

Wyoming Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Alderman, 06MAY2019.

A California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal Fire, formerly CDF) Bronco flies at tree top level during Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) training and recertification at Grand Canyon Hills, Colorado, 06MAY2019.

2019 Cal-Fire video report, upgraded OV-10:

https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRE/videos/493842311191325/

An OV-10A uses smoke to ‘lead-in’ the water bombers. Cal-Fire photo.

The OV-10, and other small aircraft, serve as forward air controllers (FAC) for the larger water bombers, picking out the next target and guiding the water bombing in.

Cal-Fire photo.

23JUL2021, Action News Now report (note the reporter uses the incorrect word ‘aircrafts’ while the Cal-Fire official uses the correct word ‘aircraft’) on how smoke from fires can actually ground aircraft:

In 1993, Cal-Fire bought 15 ex-Marines OV-10As (with three blade propellers). They replaced the older O-2As. In 2009, Cal-Fire bought three OV-10Ds (with four blade props and short ‘A’ model nose). OV-10As and OV-10Ds are slowly being upgraded to meet Cal-Fire requirements.

2010 Cal-Fire video report, the Gov’na authorizes more of everything for fighting future fires, plus a new GPS flight tracking system will be used:

In 2015, a prop failure on an Cal-Fire OV-10A grounded the OV-10 fleet.

Children get to check out an upgraded OV-10, during the Grass Valley Air Attack Base open house, 20JUL2019. Cal-Fire photo.

Amentum upgraded OV-10, photo via Amentum/Mike McKeig.

By March 2021, Cal-Fire’s upgraded OV-10 fleet had reached 16 aircraft; 15 former OV-10As and one former OV-10D. The upgrade project is handled by Amentum-DynCorp International.

May 2021, San Bernardino International Airport video of upgraded OV-10:

The old O-2, photo via California Fire Pilots Association (CFPA).

CDF OV-10A, photo via CFPA.

CDF OV-10A, photo via CFPA/K. E. Pack.

California Fire Pilots Association

OV-10A front seat, photo via CFPA/K. E. Pack.

Click here for official Cal-Fire Aircraft Recognition Guide for 2019.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: WASHINGTON MILITIA DEPLOYS!

Disaster 2021: VERMONT & CONNECTICUT VALKYRIE FIGHT FIRES IN KOSOVO!

Idaho Wildfires 2019: MD-87 WATER BOMBER & NEW KING AIR F-A-C

International

Disaster 2021: Vermont & Connecticut Valkyrie fight fires in Kosovo!

Video August 26, 2021 Hutchins AAron

Believe it or not, the United States has had military personnel in Kosovo for longer than it has in Iraq or Afghanistan. It’s part of the NATO KFor (Kosovo Force) mission, which began in June 1999.

Currently there are ‘Task Force Valkyrie’ National Guard units from Connecticut and Vermont in Kosovo, but since July they’ve been working a little extra duty fighting wildfires.

KFor video by Staff Sergeant Barbara Pendl, Black Hawk water drops, ground troops fight fires with shovels near Leposavic:

Task Force Valkyrie video (Army National Guard 1-169th Aviation Regiment water drops near Pec) by Sergeant Gloria Kamencik, 31JUL2021:

Many of the fires across the Balkans are suspected to be intentionally started, 20 people arrested just in Kosovo: “Kosovo Police identified 109 cases of arson.”

Disaster 2021: U.S. ARMY FIGHTS FIRE IN TURKEY! RUSSIAN WATER BOMBER CRASHES!

U.S.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: Washington Militia deploys!

Video August 26, 2021 Hutchins AAron

On 24AUG2021, eighty Washington National Guard personnel were issued wild-land fire fighting gear. They are deploying to assist the Washington State Department of Natural Resources fight the more than 45-thousand acre Summit Trail Fire near Inchelium.

Washington National Guard video by Peter Chang, with interview at the end:

Lightning started the fire on 12JUL2021, as of August 24th it was 45% contained. Evacuation orders have been rescinded.

On 11AUG2021, the state of Georgia sent personnel from its Forestry Commission to Washington to help fight the Summit Trail Fire.

Updated Inchelium Complex Fire Map

U.S. Wildfire 2021: MILITIA & U.S. ARMY BATTLES LARGEST EVER FOR HAWAII!

EVERGREEN STATE (Washington) RED CARD

Pacific Ring of Fire: WARNINGS FOR ALASKA, HAWAII & WASHINGTON

Disaster 2021: U.S. MILITARY DEPLOYS TO HAITI, MORE THAN 2000 DEAD!

U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Militia & U.S. Army battles largest ever for Hawaii!

Video August 18, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“The fire was moving at 20-25 mph; the fire traveled a mile and a half in 20 minutes to jump into ‘our’ property. With the pasture field grass that we have out here, that’s how fast it can move. The fire was eating up ground, all we can do was carrel it and defend it from jumping on county land, basically keep it on Army land.”– Steven Coloma, Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) Fire and Emergency Services

From July 30th to August 4th, 2021, the Waimea wildfire grew to become the largest in Hawaii’s modern history. Hawaii’s Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army’s 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), joined the fight.

U.S. Army photo, 31JULY2021.

25th CAB used their CH-47 and HH-60 helicopters:“…the priority was some threatened and endangered species that reside on PTA. Once we got that initial assessment from the PTA firefighters, we started hitting the areas around the threatened and endangered species. That was PTA garrison commander’s number one priority—fire management on federal land, and ensure we saved the threatened and endangered species.”-Major Lee Jones, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment

USA photo, 31JULY2021.

Armed with Bambi buckets, the Chinook and Black Hawk ‘copters made 268 drops on the fire, more than 169-thousand gallons of water. The Waimea wildfire burned at least 40-thousand acres (16187 hectares).

USA photo, 31JULY2021.

Fire report as of 01AUG2021:

Fire report as of 03AUG2021:

Fire report as of 14AUG2021:

U.S. Wildfires 2021: MINNESOTA MILITIA RESPONDS!

International

Disaster 2021: U.S. Army fights fire in Turkey! Russian water bomber crashes!

Video August 18, 2021 Hutchins AAron

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher Stewart, 14AUG2021.

The U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) could be taking part in a wargame called Dynamic Front 21, instead they have joined with USAID in helping the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı) fight fires in the western mountains.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher Stewart, 14AUG2021.

Flying their CH-47 Chinooks, the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th CAB deployed from their assignment in Bulgaria to fight fires in Turkey, on 12AUG2021.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher Stewart, 14AUG2021.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher Stewart, 14AUG2021.

Water bombing aircraft from around the world arrived in Turkey to fight the fires:

On 14AUG2021, a Russian Navy flying boat crashed while fighting a fire in Turkey:

Turkey is being hit by both fire and water:

Disaster 2021: GERMAN FLOOD CLEAN-UP, U.S. Air Force STYLE

U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Minnesota Militia responds!

Video August 18, 2021 Hutchins AAron

On 16AUG2021, the Minnesota Army National Guard deployed two UH-60M Black Hawks to fight the fires spreading across The North Star State. Video by Staff Sergeant Sydney Mariette:

Photo by Senior Master Sergeant Ralph Kapustka.

On 17AUG2021, Minnesota Air National Guard deployed a fuel truck to support Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire crews.

Newsweek: Minnesota orders evacuations.

34 counties are now under burn restrictions due to the drought.

Minnesota DNR fire info.

U.S. Forest Service’s Superior National Forest fire restrictions and closures.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: IDAHO UPDATE, 15 AUGUST

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: Idaho update, 15 August

Video August 15, 2021 Hutchins AAron

List of links to reports about the latest Idaho wildfire operations, as of 15AUG2021:

Idaho ranchers say ash from wildfires destroying already drought damaged food sources for cattle, must now kill-off cows!

Lawsuit alleges federal government fire prevention tactics, in the Pacific Northwest states, is harming wildlife.

Wildfire survival tips for animals in Idaho.

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality bans outdoor burning in Treasure Valley.

Fire in Idaho Falls started by man who jumped onto a live power-line transformer!

Idaho Falls house fire sends one person to the hospital.

Idaho Department of Lands creates new GIS fire map.

Senators warn of aviation fuel shortage hampering fire fighting in Idaho.

Massachusetts fire fighters deploy to Montana and Idaho.

Federal Bureau of Land Management claims to have ‘below average’ number of fires on BLM lands in Idaho.

Lewiston, Idaho, evacuated!

Bedrock Fire near Lenore, 12AUG2021. Photo by Peter Caster/Lewiston Tribune.

Bedrock Fire now more than 9-thousand acres!

Nez Perce County Emergency Management orders evacuations, 14AUG2021!

Idaho’s Dixie Fire 63% contained.

Granite Pass Fire more than 5-thousand acres, only 15% contained!

Video of smoked Salmon, and I don’t mean fish, 11AUG2021:

National Guard vehicles near the Cougar Rock Complex.

Idaho’s Cougar Rock Fire, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry takes command on 12AUG2021. It should be noted that the ten wildfires making up the Cougar Rock Complex were all started by lightning.

Quick Idaho Department of Transportation video of water bombing of Mission Flats Fire, 12AUG2021:

Video of privately operated CH-47 Chinook filling Bambi Bucket from an Idaho river on 11AUG2021:

U.S. Wildfire 2021: IDAHO ORDERS U.S. NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT TO WESTERN FIRES!

U.S.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: Idaho orders U.S. National Guard deployment to Western Fires!

Video August 15, 2021 Hutchins AAron

On 12AUG2021, twenty three Wisconsin Army National Guard personnel took three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to California to help fight the fires, for the second year in a row.

Wisconsin ANG Black Hawk practices using the Bambi Bucket, 12AUG2021, prior to leaving for California. WANG photo by Greg Mason.

WANG video by Greg Mason, of Bambi Bucket training on Fort McCoy, 12AUG2021:

It wasn’t Just Wisconsin sending their militia to help The Golden State; Arizona, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma sent Air National Guard TACPs (Tactical Air Control Party Specialists) and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) aircrews at the request of the Boise, Idaho, based National Interagency Fire Center: “The entire fire service lacks fire fighters, equipment, and especially intelligence capable assets. Being able to utilize TACPs and the ISR aircraft during fire suppression efforts is filling a large gap that we, in civilian government lack. The expertise TACPs bring truly makes our jobs much easier, safer, and can translate into our mission objectives.”-George Violante, National Interagency Fire Center

Arizona Air National Guard ISR wildland fire mapping RC-26 flying out of Eugene Airport, Oregon, 01AUG2021. Nevada ANG photo by Airman First Class Thomas Cox.

Pennsylvania & Oklahoma TACPs set-up near Chester, California, 25JUL2021. PANG photo by Master Sergeant Brent Hill.

The National Interagency Fire Center says military TACPs are perfect for the job of wildland fire fighting from the air: “They require limited training and can engage right into providing real-time critical decision-making information for the incident management personnel. The constant demand for this type of support speaks for itself. We appreciate their time away from their families and the long hours they work to support the Interagency National Fire Center and fire staff on the ground.”-George Violante

Pennsylvania TACP somewhere in Nevada, 13JUL2021. PANG photo by Lieutenant Colonel Angela King-Sweigart.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: New fire map created for Idaho

IDAHO RED CARD MILITIA DEPLOYS!

WYOMING & COLORADO ACTIVATES MAFFS, NEVADA’S MAFF MISSION EXTENDED!

U.S. Wildfire 2020: Wisconsin Guard ‘Badgers’ help fight California fires

March 2020: TACPs USE HORSE POWER TO CALL IN AIR STRIKES IN IDAHO MOUNTAINS!

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Idaho Red Card Militia deploys!

Image August 10, 2021 Hutchins AAron

“Today marked yet another milestone in the proud history of the Idaho National Guard as wildland firefighter ground crews mobilized and deployed to support the growing wildland fire threats across our state.”-Brigadier General Russ Johnson, Idaho National Guard Joint Staff

Idaho Army National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur.

On 04AUG2021, sixteen Idaho Air and Army National Guard personnel, who are federal Type 2 Red Card (Incident Qualification Card) certified, were deployed to assist the Idaho Department of Lands battle at least 15 wildfires across the Gem State.

To be Red Card certified means you’re literally are given a red card saying you are qualified to fight wildfires. IANG photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur.

72 Idaho state militia personnel are Red Card certified: “We are currently training more Soldiers and Airmen as they volunteer for this mission in the hopes of building a large capacity consisting of several hand crews.”-Lieutenant Colonel Tony Vincelli, Task Force Timber Shield

IANG photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur.

Two Idaho National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters have also been fighting fires, dropping more than 205-thousand gallons since July 13th.

An Idaho 1-183rd Aviation Battalion Black Hawk deployed to fight fires in California, in 2020. California Air National Guard photo by Captain Jason Sanchez.

Eight militia members have also been providing logistical support since July 21st, at the Idaho Fire Cache warehouse in Coeur d’Alene.