The South Dakota State Fire Meteorologist, Darren R. Clabo, distributed this weather statement Tuesday afternoon at 3:55 p.m. MT:
============================================================
“Critical fire weather conditions will continue through the afternoon today over eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. The southern Black Hills may have the most critical conditions this afternoon with breezy winds and RHs below 15%.
A very windy day is in store for tomorrow as a strong cold front pushes through the state. Although temperatures will only reach the mid 70s and minimum RHs will likely not fall below 30% over West River areas, northwest winds will gust over 50 mph throughout the afternoon. A High Wind Warning has been issued for southern Meade, central/eastern Pennington, eastern Custer, and Shannon Counties in effect from 0600-1800 tomorrow (Wednesday 15 August). Wind gusts will likely exceed 35 mph over the rest of SD. With the cured fuels, fast moving fires are a possibility, especially in the grassland. Little precipitation is expected with this front (with the exception of southeastern SD).”
With most helicopters and the few fixed wing aircraft committed chasing well established fires, has anyone thought that the fire weather as reported for Wyoming and South Dakota could justify a aggressive initial response by aircraft? That the fire fighters on the ground could have a chance if the DC-10 (s) could be prepositioned and arrive within the first hour, followed by type one helicopters? Attempting to keep a new start contained within the first burning period! What was I thinking about? Reality check Johnny you idot! This kind of thinking makes a lot of people mad who depend on …………………………..