Tag Archives: fire

Technology, U.S.

U.S. Disaster: Vid-Fest of M-A-F-F-S prepping for 2023 wildfire season!

Video

15 April 2023 (13:57-UTC-07 Tango 06) 26 Farvardin 1402/24 Ramadan 1444/25 Bing-Chen 4721/15 апреля 2023 года

Wyoming Air National Guard photo by by Senior Airman Edward Hermsen, 11APR2023.

This past week, Air National Guard C-130H MAFFS units from Nevada (152nd Airlift Wing) and Wyoming (153rd Airlift Wing)  joined California’s 146th Airlift Wing on Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, for their yearly wildfire preparations.

MAFFS air crews get a quick explanation of how the fire retardant is mixed, Nevada Air National Guard video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 11APR2023:

‘Bombing-up’ and testing your MAFFS, video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 11APR2023:

Water-bombing training was conducted in the Angeles National Forest near Green Valley, California.  Personnel from other federal operations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection), also took part in the training.

Smoke signaling King Air 250. Nevada Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber, 14APR2023.

King-Air 250 FACs (Forward Air Controllers) lead the MAFFS in, using smoke signals to indicate where to drop the water bomb, video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 12APR2023:

More water bombing video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 12APR2023:

One more in slow motion, video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 12APR2023:

Engine maintenance is always a must, Nevada Air National Guard video by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, 14APR2023:

Wyoming Air National Guard photo by by Senior Airman Edward Hermsen, 14APR2023.

Nevada Air National Guard video, by Master Sergeant Garrett Wake, unloading MAFFS from C-130H, 14APR2023:

U.S. Wildfire 2022: C-130 MAFFS DEPLOYED, IDAHO SUFFERS MOST FIRES/ACRES BURNED IN THE U.S.!

U.S. Wildfire 2021: WYOMING & COLORADO ACTIVATES MAFFS, NEVADA’S MAFF MISSION EXTENDED!

MASSIVE MAFFS PREP for WILDFIRE 2021

2020: MAFFS BIRD FLIES PANDEMIC VENTILATORS TO NEW YORK AND ALL POINTS EAST

Idaho Wildfires 2019: BRAND NEW KING AIR 250 F-A-C

2017: IDAHO CONDUCTS MASSIVE MAFFS TRAINING, IN PREPS FOR HOT WILDFIRE SEASON!

FEMALE PILOT TELLS YOU WHY SHE FLIES MAFFS

2016: 45 YEARS OF C-130 MAFFS OPS. WHO WOULD’VE KNOWN WILDFIRES WOULD BECOME SUCH A PROBLEM?

Idaho Wildfires 2012: MAFFS C-130S RETURN TO POCATELLO AIRPORT, IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD JOINS BATTLE! IDAHO & CALIFORNIA HAVE THE MOST FIRES!

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Wildfire 2022: C-130 MAFFS deployed, Idaho suffers most fires/acres burned in the U.S.!

Video

From the week ending 10SEP2022:

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), based in Boise, Idaho leads the nation with 34 reported wildfires, as well as the most acreage burned.

10SEP2022, family moving onto their new property in Northern Idaho discover they are surrounded by wildfires:

09SEP2022, two suspected arsonists arrested:

09SEP2022, Bannock County 2 & 1/2 MILE FIRE, HISTORY REPEATS?

09SEP2022, Moose Fire burns more than 125-thousand acres, largest fire currently in the U.S., been burning since July:

On 09SEP2022, at the request of the NIFC, two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) equipped C-130s were deployed to Boise Airport (Gowen Field) for fire fighting duties.  One is a C-130H Hercules (upgraded with the eight bladed prop) from Nevada Air National Guard, the other is a C-130J Super Hercules from California Air National Guard.  The last time C-130s went to Boise Airport was in April 2022, for yearly MAFFS training.  The two MAFFS equipped C-130s will remain on-station until 08OCT2022, unless another NIFC request is issued.

09SEP2022, Four Corners Fire update:

09SEP2022, Blaine County’s Ross Fork Fire (not to be confused with last month’s Ross Fork Fire in Bannock County) still only 2% contained:

09SEP2022, Jerome County declares state of emergency as a result of a new fire:

08SEP2022, Rainbow Fire:

08SEP2022, air quality warnings issued:

08SEP2022, electrical power cut as mine operations are evacuated:

07SEP2022, Idaho Power (a for-profit utility company) now blames wildfires for causing power shortages in Idaho:

06SEP2022, Sagehen Fire borders Bingham and Caribou Counties:

04SEP2022, Limelight Fire destroys 26 low income homes:

Idaho, August 2022: What timing as Pocatello Airport’s U.S. Forest Service Air Tanker base is back online after extensive upgrades!

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

FOR FIRST TIME, IDAHO MOBILIZES MILITIA (National Guard) FOR FIRE DUTY!

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

U.S. Wildfire 2017:

C-130 aircraft from three National Guard units and a U.S. Air Force Reserve unit arrive on Gowen Field (Boise Airport), Idaho, 20APR2017. California Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Nieko Carzis.

IDAHO CONDUCTS MASSIVE MAFFS TRAINING, IN PREPS FOR HOT WILDFIRE SEASON!

Southeast Idaho Wildfire 2012:

A couple of Neptunes awaiting orders, on the tarmac at Pocatello Airport. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, July 2012.

BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIR TANKER BASE, AS FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Wildfire 2022: 2 & 1/2 Mile Fire, history repeats?

09 September 2022  (11:44-UTC-07 Tango 06) 18 Shahrivar 1401/12 Safar1444/14 Ji-You 4720

2 & 1/2 Mile Fire, as seen from my backyard in Chubbuck, Idaho.

The wildfire currently called Two and a Half Mile Fire is in an area of Bannock County, Idaho, that has a history of going up in smoke.  Just last month, in the same area, north of Pocatello, on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Fort Hall Reservation land, was the Ross Fork Fire (not to be confused with a current wildfire of the same name in Blaine County).

Photo via BLM.

Today, a warning has been issued for those using the Interstate 15 highway, around the Fort Hall Exit between Pocatello and Blackfoot, firefighting efforts could result in highway traffic being halted of diverted. The Idaho Fire Information website ranks the fire as “extreme”, an evacuation order was issued to anybody living in the 2 1/2 Mile Road/East Ross Fork area.

The fire has burned at least 7-thousand acres since the afternoon of 08SEP2022. Fast winds during the night made the fire worse, it is zero percent contained.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a burn ban for federal reservations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Degraded Air Quality warning, and a burn ban for Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Power and Oneida Counties.  The air quality warnings and burn bans are blamed on the numerous fires in the Pacific Northwest.

This is not the first time a wildfire blackened the hills around 2 1/2 Mile Road; 03JUL2013:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 01July 2013.

2 1/2 MILE FIRE CONTAINMENT, MORE IDAHO FIRES EXPECTED, WARNS OFFICIALS.

June 2012:

Smoke seen from downtown Old Town Pocatello. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 28JUN2012.

POCATELLO CHARLOTTE FIRE STILL BURNING! 66 HOMES NOW DESTROYED!

U.S.

U.S. Disaster/Food Crisis 2022: Oklahoma Militia fights 702-Fire, no more Beef Cattle?

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“It’s burning up in these canyons deep, burning out over the bowls and spreading out…. …. We’re unable to get our trucks and units down into the fire so. Basically, the only way is only with dozers and air support is the only way we’ll be able to get this knocked down.”-Jim Shelton, Blaine County Emergency Management 

This year’s fire season doesn’t seem as profuse as previous years.  Don’t tell that to people in Oklahoma, already more than 8-thousand acres (3237 hectares) have burned since 14JUL2022.

KOCO report from 15JUL2022, points out that the fire is negatively affecting a major food source:

Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Anthony Jones, 16JUL2022.

On 16JUL2022, Oklahoma Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks, and LUH-72 Lakotas, attacked what is called the 702-Fire, in Blaine County.

Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Anthony Jones, 16JUL2022.

The UH-60 can dump more than 6-hundred gallons of water, using its ‘Bambi bucket‘.

Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Specialist Caleb Stone, 16JUL2022.

Don’t forget about the natural gas refinery in Medford, Oklahoma, that caught fire a week ago:

U.S. Disaster 2022: MORE FIRES, MORE MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS, BLAME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SPECULATION GAME!

U.S. Food Crisis 2022: KENTUCKY MILITIA DEPLOYED FOR WATER SHORTAGE, “BAD WENT TO WORSE!”

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. Disaster 2022: More fires, more military deployments, blame housing development speculation game!

Video

An incomplete list of fire reports from across the United States, as of 19 May 2022:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Wildfire smoke and Pandemic working together to damage your lungs!

Wildfire Today: Wildfire risk rating now available for 145 million properties in the United States.
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CALIFORNIA: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) refuses to help individual survivors of last year’s fire in El Dorado County!

Marin County water sources under extreme stress: “We are in a significant chronic drought. Our heavier fuels are feeling that stress. We’ve seen redwood trees dying that historically have done okay here. Pines and firs are nearing the end of their life.”-Chief Jason Weber, Marin County Fire Department

University of California Riverside, School of Medicine is concerned about fires spreading dusts, soil microbes, allergenic pollens from invasive species, and pollutants:

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Hope Straley, 10MAY2022.

On 10MAY2022, a 657-acre wildfire on U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton was contained.

Sheriff warns that newer home developments have been built with few escape routes!

Home construction/new housing developments blamed for new fires, like those million dollar homes that recently burned:

Prepare for more wildfires, yet survivors of recent fires say you can’t prepare for what burned them:

Wildfire burn areas prove to be a boon for mushroom hunters.

COLORADO: Fire risk higher than any other state!

Plumtaw Fire:

Wildfire burns at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Residents living in a county with no active fires were notified on their phones to evacuate, even though the nearest fire was 40 miles away!

High Park Fire:

MICHAGAN: More than 2-thousand-7-hundred acres burning!

MONTANA: Blackfeet Reservation prepping for wildfire!

NEBRASKA: 201 Fire burns 1-thousand-5-hundred trees!

NEVADA: Federal and state taxpayers spending $24-million to study wildfires in Nevada!

NEW MEXICO: FEMA Region 6 video, by Daniel Rojas, of fire damage in Ruidoso, 07MAY2022:

U.S. Air Force photo, 11MAY2022.

On 11MAY2022, fire crews from Kirkland Air Force Base deployed to help combat the merged Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire.  Specifically the four Airman firefighters will be protecting the airfield in Angel Fire, where various firefighting aircraft are operating from. As of 12MAY2022, nearly 260-thousand acres, or more than 370 square miles, have burned.  An estimated 12-thousand households have been advised to evacuate.

Angel Fire evacuations:

FEMA Region 6 video, by Daniel Rojas, of fire fighting efforts against the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire, 11MAY2022:

Largest wildfire still burning:

OREGON: Idaho Power claims its proposed electricity transmission lines, through Oregon, do not pose a wildfire risk!

Taxpayers to fund $4.7-million worth of ‘free’ air cleaners to help residents breath better in the now yearly Summer of Smoke!

The Governor claims there is a shortage of firefighters!

TEXAS: Evacuations underway!

Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters have already been fighting fires in their area, but they are saying the worst is still to come!

UTAH: Ongoing home developments raise fire risk!

WASHINGTON: Spring rains not enough to prevent Spring fires!

U.S. Disaster 2022: UTAH’S NEW FEMA REGION 8 URBAN DISASTER TRAINING SITE

Idaho, Technology, U.S.

U.S. Disaster 2022: U.S. military vehicles under fire! Grateful child thanks National Guard as fire approaches homes!

Video

An incomplete list of fire reports from across the United States, as of 27 April 2022:

Wildfire smoke accelerates glacier melt, affects mountain runoff.
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National Weather Service (NWS) predicts drier than expected year: “I’ve been with the National Weather Service for over 20 years, and I’ve never seen the winter storm door just slam shut like that. It’s very unsettling.”-Chris Smallcomb, NWS Reno

ALASKA: More than 10-thousand acres burned!

ARIZONA: New Wildfire in Arizona Adds to Several Burning in Dry Southwest

People being arrested for trying to go back to their homes:

Evacuation orders ended

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation uses Arizona wildfires to warn Canadians:

CALIFORNIA: Sheep being used to prevent wildfires:

California Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Michelle Ulber, 21APR2022.

It was revealed on 21APR2022, that California Air National Guard increased the size of fire-retardant ground storage tanks on Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme.  The new tanks increased the storage capacity from a 10-thousand gallons to 50-thousand gallons, to accommodate more MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) aircraft and the U.S. Forest Service’s Very Large Air Tankers (VLAT).

Video, by Master Sergeant Nieko Carzis, of California Air National Guard prepping their C-130Js for MAFFS operations, 19APR2022:

COLORADO: Pueblo West Fire Department prepping homeowners on how to save their homes!

Boulder City Council considers ways to prep for massive fire season!

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention/Control and the Colorado Army National Guard conclude a more intense fire training:

U.S. Air Force Reserve C-130H transports, on Peterson Space Force Base, are prepped for MAFFS operations, 21APR2022. Music video by Technical Sergeant Justin Norton:

FLORIDA: Port Charlotte Fire aftermath

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Anabel Del Valle, 11APR2022.

Tyndall Air Force Base began using a new modular fire station, 11APR2022.

IDAHO: Bannock County one of several already under USDA Drought Disaster declaration!

California Air National Guard C-130J tests its MAFFS while on Gowen Field, Idaho, 25APR2022. California Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Michelle Ulber.

Gowen Field, Idaho, conducted 2022 MAFFS training for C-130 crews.  (April 2017: MAFFS BOMBS IDAHO!)

Nevada Air National Guard sent two C-130H aircraft to Idaho for MAFFS prepping. Nevada Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Thomas Cox, 26APR2022.

NEBRASKA: Drought will intensify fire season

Road 702 fire 74% contained

Retired fire chief killed by wildfire!

Video of Road 702 wildfire, from 23-24APR2022, by Nebraska State Patrol:

Photo via Captain Joshua Miller.

Nebraska Army National Guard HEWATT (M1158 HEMTT Water Tender) attacks the Road 702 fire, 24APR2022.

Home video, 24APR2022, showing Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk dropping water on flames near Willow County homes, a child is heard saying “thank you!”:

Earlier, a U.S. Air Force HMMWV, from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, got caught in the Road 702 fire and didn’t survive (the crew did survive), USAF video by Airman Landon Gunsauls:

NEW MEXICO: Cleaning up after several wildfires

New fires, evacuation orders:

TENNESSEE: Video (bad audio) of Tennessee Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk responding to wildfires, 01APR2022:

TEXAS: 

JBSA-Camp Bullis fire, USAF photo by Brian Boisvert, 09APR2022.

By 10APR2022, the Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis fire was considered 50% contained.

WASHINGTON: Spokane Valley Fire Department begging homeowners to fire proof their properties:

U.S. Disaster, March 2022: LABOR SHORTAGE RESULTS IN MERGING OF MILITARY/CIVILIAN FIRE DEPARTMENTS!

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Cal-Fire Bronco

Video

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

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

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

“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!