Tag Archives: wildfire

International

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

Video

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

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming & Colorado activates MAFFS, Nevada’s MAFF mission extended!

Video

“The request for additional support shows just how challenging this fire season is and how critical our MAFFS aircraft, aircrews and maintenance personnel are to supporting NIFC [National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho].”-Colonel Jeremy Ford, 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

On 19JUL2021, a Wyoming Air National Guard (ANG) C-130H MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) was activated, and on 20JUL2021 was sent to battle wildfires in California.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

The C-130H has been upgraded with a new propeller system.

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Wyoming ANG video by Jacqueline Marshall, 19JUL2021:

Wyoming ANG photo by Technical Sergeant Jon Alderman.

Also on 19JUL2021, Colorado ANG activated a MAFFS to fight the fires in California.  Music video announcement by Staff Sergeant Laura Fitsmorris:

Earlier in the month, one California ANG C-130 MAFFS, and two Nevada ANG ‘High Rollers’ C-130 MAFFS began fighting fires in California.

CAL FIRE Air Tanker Base, McClellan Park. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Nevada’s ‘High Rollers’ just had their mission in California extended until August 26th!

MAFFS aircraft are only activated when it becomes clear that the private sector water bombers are overwhelmed, or will soon be, by the volume of wildfires.

NIFC in Boise, Idaho, warns that ‘Scary Fuel’ shortage could ground firefighting aircraft.

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming governor waves federal pandemic restrictions to ease aviation fuel shortage for water bombers

K-MAX & 10 TANKER, WAITING FOR THE CALL IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO

Idaho, Technology

U.S. Wildfire 2021: K-Max & 10 Tanker, waiting for the call

Video

When the wildfire season officially starts in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, little used Pocatello Regional Airport becomes Pocatello Airtanker Base.

Idaho Wildfires 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

CANADAIR CL 215

This year (despite the hype by main-stream national news), and the past few years, Pocatello Airtanker Base hasn’t been as busy as it was between the years 2012 and 2017. We had a plethora of water bombers, various types of fixed wing and rotary wing, some even coming from Canada.

A couple of BAEs and an ancient Neptune, September 2012. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Pocatello Tanker Base 2012:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 2012.

SIKORSKY & USMC IN TOWN

The area is still getting smoked-out by regional fires, but nothing like the amount of smoke during the 2012-2018 years.  In 2018 the smoke from record setting California fires was bad enough that I taped furnace filters to my windows (I don’t have central air conditioning).  So since about 2019, most of what you see on Pocatello Airtanker Base are a DC-10, a helicopter or two, and the always present Air Tractors.

On 23JUL2021, I just happened to be checking out the airport and caught the crew of a Mountain West Helicopters K-Max, waiting for a call to action, sitting near the tarmac in 90+ Fahrenheit temperatures.

Video from 2008, Mountainwest Helicopters K-Max using Bambi Bucket during Piute Mountain wildfire:

Lockheed Martin video showing a K-Max drone (remote control, no pilot) dropping water on a fire:

And I was lucky enough to just catch a glimpse of a DC-10 returning from a water-drop mission.

Kit builders should note the noticeable gap between the water tank and the fuselage.

Also notice that 10 Tanker has given their DC-10s a new livery.

2020 video of 10 Tanker #911 bombing a fire near homes in California:

2016 video of 10 Tanker training in New Mexico, note that the big water bombers are led-in by smaller FAC aircraft:

U.S. Wildfires 2021: Wyoming governor waves federal pandemic restrictions to ease aviation fuel shortage for water bombers

FOR FIRST TIME, IDAHO MOBILIZES MILITIA FOR FIRE DUTY!

Idaho Wildfires 2019:

DC-10, IDAHO’S 911

U.S. Forest Service FAC (Forward Air Controller) taking off from Pocatello Airtanker Base. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

MD-87 WATER BOMBER, NEW KING AIR F-A-C

Pocatello Airtanker Base 2017:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, August 2017.

SMOKE ’EM IF YOU GOT ’EM! THE FIRE BOMBERS ARE BACK!

U.S. Wildfires 2016: DC-10 POCATELLO AIRPORT

Pocatello Air Tanker Base, September 2012:  MORE AIR TANKERS ARRIVE AT POCATELLO TANKER BASE. EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT!

MORE CANADIAN AIRCRAFT ARRIVE AT POCATELLO

CONAIR’s Convair, notice the retardant stains, from the day before, have been cleaned off. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

CANADA JOINS THE FIGHT 

Pocatello Air Tanker Base, August 2012:

MAFFS 5 gets airborne! Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

MAFFS C-130s RETURN TO POCATELLO AIRPORT, IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD JOINS BATTLE!

12 July 2012:

Comin’ down! Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS A VARIETY OF FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

Technology, U.S.

Disaster prep 2021: Alaska gets new D-R-M-K-T

Image

Alaska is known for Ring of Fire earthquakes and volcanoes, so far this year lots of quakes, and the United States Geological Survey/Alaska Volcano Observatory lists five volcanoes as “restless” and even raised alert levels for some.

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey.

On 09JUL2021, the Alaska Air National Guard tried a new-to-them piece of disaster response equipment; the Disaster Relief Mobile Kitchen Trailer (DRMKT).

Alaska ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey.

The 168th Wing Services trained-up on the DRMKT by preparing lunch for fellow Guard personnel.

Alaska ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey.

It’s all part of efforts to prepare for natural disasters in the Arctic-Pacific region.

Alaska ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey.

“The DRMKT provides us with the remote capabilities we need to include generator and water sources. We are always training, and with this new DRMKT, we are even more prepared to respond when called upon.”-Technical Sergeant JeanPaul Williams, 168th Services Superintendent

The company that makes the DRMKT, Babington Technologies, retails the disaster response kitchen for $750-thousand.

Hurricane prep 2021: GEORGIA MILITIA WARMS-UP THE D-R-M-K-T

U.S. Wildfire prep 2021: ALASKA AIRBORNE RED CARD

Pacific Ring of Fire, May 2021: WARNINGS FOR ALASKA, HAWAII & WASHINGTON

U.S.

U.S. Medical & Food Disaster: This is not a drill! Military drug dealers take over local high schools?

Video

New Mexico Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

On 07JUL2021, active duty military, and National Guard medical personnel from across the United States, took over Greenville High School, in Mississippi.

New Mexico ANG photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

New Mexico ANG photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

Operations involving food service, dentistry, ambulance service, optometry, psychiatric care, and even drug distribution (pharmacy) were carried out as part of Delta Wellness Mission 2021.  Greenville High School was one of three locations used for the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) operation.

New Mexico ANG photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

The military uses IRTs as one way to train for disaster response, but Delta Wellness Mission 2021 is not a drill or training exercise, it is a continuation, under a new name, of a program started under the Obama Administration to provide free healthcare and food service to local residents.

New Mexico ANG photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

The taxpayer funded military medical service for silly-vilians program was started in 2014 (OPERATION APPALACHIAN CARE; PROOF OBAMACARE-ACA FAILED, AND OBAMA KNEW IT DID!).

New Mexico ANG photo by Airman First Class Lauren McMullen.

Greenville High School was not the only school to be taken over under Delta Wellness Mission 2021.

New Mexico ANG photo Senior Master Sergeant Daniel Butterfield.

The General Trass High School, Arkansas, was taken over on 05JUL2021.

Air Force Reserve video report; 24JUN2021 East Central Georgia Medical IRT mission, which included Burke County High School:

Army Reserve promo video; medical personnel from Ohio deployed to Knox and Clay County, Kentucky, to provide free services to humans and animals, 20JUN2021.  The ‘Coal Country’ IRT was requested by local county officials:

South Carolina ANG photo by Lieutenant Colonel Jim Saint Clair.

The South Carolina National Guard deployed for Operation Healthy Delta 2021.  The IRT provided medical and food service to two locations in Missouri, and one in Illinois, from June 14th to the 24th.

South Carolina ANG photo by Lieutenant Colonel Jim Saint Clair.

Army Reserve video report, IRT used as excuse to provide animal and human medical services to Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota, 09MAY2021:

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Karen J. Tomasik.

05MAY2021, IRT Arctic Care Kodiak Island 2021 was conducted to provide medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary care across communities on the island of Kodiak, Alaska.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Frans Labranche.

On 04MAY2021, military active duty, Reserve and National Guard medical personnel took over Lakeside High School, in Arkansas, apparently the first for the Delta Wellness Mission 2021 IRT.

U.S. Food Crisis 2021: “…A PERFECT TERRIBLE STORM.” CRAWLING MORMON CRICKETS & FLYING GRASSHOPPERS JOIN FORCES?

U.S. Hurricane prep 2021: GEORGIA MILITIA WARMS-UP THE D-R-M-K-T

U.S. Wildfires 2021: FOR FIRST TIME, IDAHO MOBILIZES MILITIA FOR FIRE DUTY!

Cascadia Rising: PREP FOR 2022, “…EXTRAORDINARY LEVELS OF MASS CASUALTIES…”!

Typhoon 2021: T-C-C-O-R PREP

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Wildfires, 2021: For first time, Idaho mobilizes Militia for fire duty!

Video

For the first time in Idaho’s history, the governor has mobilized the National Guard specifically for fighting fires:

Snake River Complex Fire, KHQ-TV says residents told to fight the fire themselves!

People told to evacuate areas around John Creek Fire.
.

Real time Idaho fire map: idfg.idaho.gov

Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Idaho Fires

Idaho Department of Lands: Fire News Feed

Idaho, 2021: COLD CREEK FIRE NEAR AMERICAN FALLS

Idaho 2018, Pocatello’s Snake River Hot Shots:

Idaho 2012, Charlotte Fire:

On Interstate-15 northbound, Tender 1 racing towards Pocatello, Idaho, 28 June 2012.  Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

POCATELLO BURNING! EVACUATIONS! SOUTHEAST IDAHO BURNING! BANNOCK COUNTY BANS FIREWORKS, DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY!

How Idaho’s ‘Big Burn’ fire of 1910 shaped the way wildfires are fought.

U.S.

U.S. Wildfires, 2021: Beckwourth Complex, MAFFS joins the fight

Video

According to the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center, 57 fires have burned 667-thousand-346 acres across Arizona, California, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Washington, as of 10JUL2021.

08JUL2021. Nevada Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

In Northern California there is a complex of fires that have been ongoing, and difficult to combat, known as Beckwourth.  It’s so frustrating that the California and Nevada Air National Guards are now involved in that combat.

Nevada Air National Guard C-130, MAFFS 9 out of Reno, near Frenchman Lake 09JUL2021. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

A single C-130 MAFFS from the California ANG, and two C-130 MAFFS from Nevada ANG, began bombing runs in the Frenchman Lake area, on 09JUL2021.

Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

California National Guard video report by Master Sergeant David Loeffler, MAFFS joins the fight:

California: MAFFS PREP WILDFIRE 2021

Lone S-64 Skycrane water-dropper, near Frenchman Lake, 08JUL2021. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Beckwourth Complex Fire Morning Update July 9, 2021

Privately operated DC-10 near Frenchman Lake, 09JUL2021. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Privately operated BAe 146 near Frenchman Lake, 09JUL2021. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

Privately operated MD-87 near Frenchman Lake, 09JUL2021. Nevada ANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber.

U.S. Wildfire Prep, 2021: OREGON MOBILIZES FOR RED CARD!

U.S. Wildfires, 2021: SIERRA FIRE

Idaho, 2019:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

DC-10, IDAHO’S 911

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

Erickson MD-87 WATER BOMBER at Pocatello

Idaho, 2012:

Operated by Erickson Air-Crane fire fighting service.

SIKORSKY SKYCRANE LEAVES POCATELLO AIRPORT FOR COX’S WELL FIRE

Ducks in a row. BAe 146-200s and the old Convair CV580, at Pocatello airport during Idaho’s 2012 wildfire outbreaks. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins.

MORE CANADIAN BAe 146 ARRIVE AT POCATELLO

U.S.

U.S. Wildfire prep 2021: Oregon mobilizes for Red Card!

Image

Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon. Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel.

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel, 24JUN2021.

From 21 through 25 June, 2021, the Oregon National Guard conducted federal level Red Card (Incident Qualification Card) wildfire training for more than 110 militia personnel, apparently the last group to go through the Red Card training for 2021: “Everyone being trained this week is one of the last groups we have prepared for the season. We’ll have over 5-hundred people ready to go if we get called up, so right now is just coordinating all the moving pieces, going from the classroom stage to the final hands-on live burn exercise before we send everybody home.”-Master Sergeant Chris Ross

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel, 24JUN2021.

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel, 24JUN2021.

During the pandemic-panic-attack of 2020, the U.S. state of Oregon suffered devastating wildfires; more than one million acres (404686 hectares) of land burned, including homes and businesses, 11 people killed.  The Oregon National Guard supplements fire fighting efforts by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel, 24JUN2021.

Oregon National Guard video by Master Sergeant John Hughel:

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sergeant John Hughel.

 

Widlfires 2021: U.S. ARMY SPENDS YOUR MONEY BUILDING FIRE STATIONS IN FAR EASTERN EUROPE!

U.S. Wildfires 2021: SIERRA FIRE

U.S. Wildfire prep 2021: ALASKA AIRBORNE RED CARD

Rogue One ExEval: OREGON MASS-CASUALTY EVENT!

Technology, U.S.

U.S. Wildfire prep, 2021: Alaska airborne Red Card

Video

“If we didn’t do this training to get the federal Red Card certification, we wouldn’t be able to support the state in every possible scenario. This gives the state the full flexibility to use resources in the National Guard regardless of who’s managing the fire.”-Lieutenant Colonel Michele Edwards, Alaska Army National Guard

Alaska Army National Guard photo by Specialist Grace Nechanicky.

Red Card is also known as Incident Qualification Card, it is a type of fire fighting training that is accepted by various federal and state agencies.  Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 and UH-60 helicopter crews conducted Red Card training on 09JUN2021.

Alaska ANG photo by Specialist Grace Nechanicky.

1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, CH-47 Chinook dragging a 2-thousand-gallon Bambi bucket: “There are no civilian helicopters in state that provide the high-volume, heavy lifts that our CH-47s provide.”-Lieutenant Colonel Michele Edwards, Alaska ANG

Alaska Army National Guard Red Card promotional video by Victoria Granado:

Alaska ANG photo by Dana Rosso.

1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment UH-60 Black Hawk hoisting a 550-gallon Bambi bucket over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Video by Victoria Granado, Alaska ANG Bambi bucket ops:

U.S. Wildfire prep, 2021: CAL FIRE + CAL GUARD + PRISONERS

U.S. Wildfire prep, 2021: EVERGREEN STATE RED CARD

U.S.

U.S. Wildfires, 2021: Sierra Fire

Video

As expected, 2021 is turning out to big a big fire year for The Golden State, yet another U.S. military base evacuated due to wildfire.

Sierra Fire, 09JUN2021. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Kerstin Roberts.

Not even a month after attempts were made to reduce chances of wildfire, with prescribed burns and training, personnel onboard the U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton had to evacuate due to the Sierra wildfire.

S-64E Skycrane. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Kerstin Roberts.

San Diego Sheriff’s Department Bell 205. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Kerstin Roberts.

U.S. Marine Corps video by Corporal Stephen Beard, 1-thousand acres (405 hectares) Sierra Fire, 09-11 June 2021:

The Sierra Fire came despite efforts in May, and early June, to reduce the chance of wildfires.

Prescribed burns, 14MAY2021. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Drake Nickels.

Camp Pendleton Fire Department, and other local agencies, burned more than 120 acres in what’s called prescribed burns, over two days in May.  Prescribed burn explainer video by  Lance Corporal Daniel Medina:

Then at the beginning of June, wildfire training was held for both military and civilian fire fighters.  Interestingly, the Wildland Fire School ended on the same day the Sierra Fire started; June 9th.

Wildland Fire School, 08JUN2021. USMC photo by Corporal Fatima Villatoro.

‘Nat-sound’ video of Wildland Fire School by Lance Corporal Daniel Medina:

U.S. Wildfires, 2021: INTANKO fire evacuates Beale Air Force Base

U.S. Wildfire preps, 2021: CAL FIRE + CAL GUARD + PRISONERS

Wildfire 2020: USMC SNO-CATS FLEE SLINK FIRE

East Idaho Wildfires 2012:

Gettin’ ‘er done!

MAINTENANCE DAY FOR SKYCRANE FIRE FIGHTER @ POCATELLO AIRPORT