All of these photos, except the satellite image of course, were taken on the White Draw fire on June 29 a few miles northeast of Edgemont, South Dakota, between 7:54 p.m. and 9:41 p.m MT. They were taken by Bill Gabbert and are protected by ©opyright.
(We posted an update on the fire July 1, 2012.)
UPDATE at 6:30 p.m. MT, June 30, 2012:
We just talked with Brian Scott, a spokesperson for the fire, who told us that a thunderstorm dumped a small amount of rain on the fire in mid-afternoon, but far too little to have any long term effect. The fire was still active at 6:30 p.m., but with the higher humidity following the rain, not as active as it was early in the afternoon.
I checked the data at the Red Canyon weather station near the fire and it only recorded 0.03 inch of rain at around 3 p.m.
=============================
UPDATE at 4:12 p.m. MT, June 30, 2012:
A Type 2 Incident Management Team, with Bob Fry as Incident Commander, will be reassigned from the Dakota fire near Sheridan Lake, to the White Draw fire
==============================
UPDATE at 2:49 p.m., MT, June 30, 2012:
Brian Scott, a spokesperson for the fire, told us that the fire is very active this afternoon, and in the morning exhibited fire behavior that you would expect to see in mid-afternoon, when the humidity is lower and the temperature is higher. They have not had a chance to accurately map the fire perimeter from an aircraft, but he said they estimate the size at about 2,000 acres.
Two military MAFFS C-130 air tankers are working on the fire. Since the U.S. Forest Service Air Tanker base has not been approved for handling MAFFS C-130s, the two aircraft are flying to Billings, Montana, 290 miles away, to reload with retardant. Rapid City would have been a 57-mile hop.
Gordon Schaefer, the new Base Manager who just transferred into the position a few weeks ago, told Wildfire Today that until yesterday the Rapid City Air Tanker Base had not been inspected for MAFFS compatibility. The Air Force Lt. Col. who conducted the inspection said the physical layout and the ramp strength appeared to meet the specifications, but they require a written copy of the ramp specs which was not immediately available. Mr. Schaefer said that next week he hopes to supply the required paperwork to the Air Force, and then MAFFS air tankers should be able to reload at Rapid City.
====================
12:05 p.m MT, June 30, 2012
We talked with Cindy Super, an Information Officer for the Dakota fire, another fire in the Black Hills, who told us that a ball park estimate for the size of the White Draw fire is 1,000 acres, but they intend to fly the fire and map it to get a more accurate number. As of now, the aircraft working the fire will be about the same as yesterday, one single engine air tanker, four helicopters, and no large air tankers.
The Incident Commander of the fire is Jared Hohm. Ms. Super was not certain if a Type 3 Incident Management Team will be assigned to the fire, or if her Type 2 IMTeam, with Bob Fry as Incident Commander, will be reassigned to the White Draw fire. Fry’s team is already loaning some of their members to the White Draw fire.
The map above shows heat detected by a satellite at 12:19 p.m. MT, June 30, 2012. (MODIS/Google)
Here is what we wrote yesterday about the fire:
The White Draw fire started at about 4 p.m. Friday afternoon northeast of Edgemont, South Dakota after a motor home driving up the grade on Highway 18 toward Hot Springs caught on fire. I cruised out there and shot some photos. Here’s one, and I’ll post more over the next few days.
There were quite a few engines working on the fire from the local communities, as well as the U.S. Forest Service, the State of South Dakota, and the National Park Service. There were no large air tankers on the fire at any time as far as I know, but there was one Single Engine Air Tanker, plus two Type 3 Helicopters and a Blackhawk. When I left the fire at about 9:45 p.m. I could not see the entire fire, but I’m guessing it had burned hundreds of acres.
More photos are below.
I would love to get there to shoot some of my own photo’s
I flew T130 out of Rapid City back in the 90’s. Last time I flew out of there in July 02, the base had been upgraded and was capable of handling our 130’s
Latest on the BHFox FB page –
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Hills-FOX-News/122161657947
2 aircrew to hospitals, 4 unaccounted for.
BH Fox news appears to be down
Black Hills FOX just reported/confirmed.
Yes scanner traffic says a C -130 is down west of Wind Cave NP along Hwy 89. The good news is that at least 3 survived the crash and the Life Star Helo is picking them up at the Custer Airport for transport to Rapid City Regional
Normal is a crew of 6. Pilot, copilot, navigator,engineer,2 loadmasters.
Praying for the best.
2012…Horrific fire season.
I’m hearing MAFFS #7 has had an accident; any knowledge or information?
Looks like it according to the Rapid City Journal.
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/plane-goes-down-fighting-white-draw-fire/article_9b8b5de1-862c-570d-add9-9231cb3fe5e5.html
As they say, “Order Early and Order Big”
Rapid City was one of the air tanker bases that was part of the bidding process for air tanker operators. Over the decades many operators were awarded the tanker contract there including H&P.
MAFFS at Rapid City, interesting idea. City manager remember those landing fees! On a recent trip to the Black Hills (vacation) I was impressed with its beauty and history. I am sorry to see the fire at White Draw. Yesterday Tanker 911 was flying the Buffulo fire (BLM) in the middle of nowhere. NIFC is setting some strange priorities.
Yes Mr. Coldwater they (NIFC) sure are “setting some strange priorities” This morning, T911 was sent out to the EGAN fire in NV.
I am trying to find out the parameters of this fire, we own land in the red canyon ranch area of fall river county, on pilger mt rd off from hwy 89
we live on the other side of SD near vermillion, I am so up set about this fire and if anyone could tell me where this fire has extended too and what direction its heading in i would so appreciate it!.. Thank you
Deborah, I posted a map of the fire in an update HERE.
Thank you! it is very close to us but not there yet. let’s hope they have this thing contained soon!
God bless .. prayers for all in the area
Didn’t H&P operate C-130’s out of there?
Its too bad that a temporary tanker base couldnt be set up at Ellsworth AFB. There is no question that the runway there can handle the weight.
Nothing like preplanning.
Exactly Chris. The MAFFS have been around since the early 1970s, and it didn’t occur to anyone until Friday to see if they could work out of Rapid City? Now that there are two fires over 2,000 acres each burning within a 20-minute flight from the base?
Maybe the Base Manager that just transferred into the position a couple of weeks ago initiated this inspection by the Air Force. He is experienced and formerly was the Base Manager at Cedar City, UT. Cudos, if that’s the case.
Some fire preparedness requires funding. This, only required planning.
Anyway, sometime next week they hope to present the required document to the Air Force. But I like your idea of a portable retardant plant being set up at Elsworth Air Force Base, just a couple of miles north of the Rapid City Air Tanker Base at Rapid City Airport. Maybe then the USFS could find the paperwork.
By the way, a portable retardant plant was set up at Peterson AFB at Colorado Springs a few days ago for the MAFFS, now eight of them, working out of the base.
A portable retardant “mixing station” was set up near the High Park heli-base for the Type 1 heli-tankers, fer gosh sake. I don’t know about their capacity & throughput, as they did have to haul the slurry out to the flightline in tanker trucks (as I understand it), but when there’s a will there’s a way.
More very good photos of fire and firefighters by a firefighter.
Thanks, BMorgan.
Thanks for clearing that up–once again it doesn’t get done until it becomes a real time problem. Seems to me getting the specs sould be as easy as opening the file drawer.
Scanner trafic indicates that two C-130 heavy tankers came from JEFCO in CO this afternoon– they will have to go back to JEFCO or to Billings to reload,seems Rapid City regional is NOT CERTIFIED to do this–WHY is this the case?
Runway weight limit?
No, according to the inspection that was done Friday, which was the first time it had ever been evaluated on scene for MAFFS compatibility, the specs of the base are OK. The Air Force Lt. Col. said yesterday they just need the specs in writing. I was told that maybe next week they’ll get them. No rush, right? 🙁
To bad the groverment can’t get there ducks in a row for things like this when we all know that it is fire season.
Outstanding work, Bill.
Thanks Lynn.
Great photos, Bill!
Thanks Chris.