The Station fire started yesterday near the Angeles Crest Highway on the Angeles National Forest in southern California. As of 4 p.m. today it had burned 300 acres.
When I saw the photo below, of the firefighters on the Station fire pulling a 1″ hose, apparently to knock down the flare-up in the photo, it gave me pause.
Taking on the role of an arm-chair engine captain is always dangerous, but …. geeze. Put down the 1″ hose! Grab the 1-1/2″ pre-connect and attack the fire with some actual water!
But do not forget, whatever else, this is an absolutely outstanding photograph. Crystal clear in darkening conditions. The photographer deserves a lot of credit! And I love the POV, with the flames coming right out of the top of that engine. WOW!
The hose is 1", which flows about one-third the gallons per minute of 1.5" hose. But Chris, who used to work on that engine, left a very reasoned comment about this photo on another post. Here is what he wrote:"Hey Bill:With the Picture of ANF -E51 (i started on the Dalton engine)Our tradition was to go with a 1.5 inch Pre connect out of the role up compartment on the back it was 1.5 cotton jacket double lined in 50foot lengths( stronger then synthetic for the base of the hose lay) what you are seeing in the picture and what you may not see are two things. The captain with the 1.0 off the live reel is providing protection to the other 3 crewmembers with the still uncharged 1.5. On the other side. The Female (yellow hat) is the acting ENOP running the pannel. It was pretty much our procedure on E51. You also correctly noticing the live reel on passenger side is 1.0 not 3/4 hard line that too is a tradition as it only 200 feet and could be clamped and extended to protect the crew on the progressive hose lay. My captain from those days on the ANF is now a DFMO and you know those traditions don’t go away in South Zone.Chris former Baldy baby."Thanks Chris. I feel better now.
2.5 hose, I do not think so,
It looks more like a 2 and a half inch hose, actually. But really, they’re doing the best they can… Are you in this picture trying to put out the fire? No. So just stop.