MAFFS units go through annual training
The military units that operate the Modular Airborn Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) recently went through their annual training and recertification. There are eight MAFFS, operated by three Air National Guard units in North Carolina, Wyoming, and Californa, and one Air Force reserve based in California.
On January 28 Wildfire Today covered the introduction of a new generation of the systems, the MAFFS II, that slide into the C-130 and pump the retardant out a side door, rather than out the open rear cargo ramp like the older units.
All eight MAFFS units were due to have been replaced by now, but from an article written by Master Sgt. Mike Smith of the National Guard, it appears that only the aircraft operated by the California Air Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing based at Channel Islands Air National Guard Base have the new systems in place. That article also has more details about the annual training.
Burn barrel trade-in program
The Washington Dept. of Natural Resources says too many fires are started from people burning trash in burn barrels, so they have initiated a program where residents can trade in their burn barrels for a free composting bin. Sandra Williams, Program Manager of Wildfire Prevention Education with the Dept. of Natural Resources, explains:
People put their items in to light them up to get rid of material, reduce it down to ash. A compost bin is where it degrades over time.
