The map above shows the distribution of wildfire smoke in the United States and southern Canada today. Minnesotans are receiving the worst of it in the U.S., compliments of their neighbors to the north.
Smoke map, July 31, 2014
Month: July 2014
Colorado acquiring multi-mission aircraft and 3 firefighting helicopters
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is buying two high-tech Pilatus PC-12 airplanes that will be configured with a suite of sensors and communications equipment that they believe will greatly improve firefighter safety and the efficiency in handling an incident.
They have also contracted for three firefighting helicopters, two Type 3 and one Type 2.
All of this is new for the state of Colorado, and is a result of legislation passed earlier this year that provided the funding.
More details are at Fire Aviation, about the PC-12s and the helicopters.
Impressive photo of a fire in Washington
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized7 Comments on Impressive photo of a fire in Washington This photo of a fire in Washington, taken recently by Michael Stanford, reminds us of the famous photo of the elk in a stream next to a fire, shot by John McColgan a number of years ago.
This Washington wildfire photo shows the raw power of a raging blaze http://t.co/pBjMEH9Keg pic.twitter.com/PdgXSfhtwX
— HuffPost Green (@HuffPostGreen) July 30, 2014
Click here to see a larger version of the photo.
High temperatures forecast for the West through August 13
Temperatures higher than normal are in the forecast through August 13 for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and parts of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Arizona. If ignitions occur, firefighters could be busy in the far west for the next couple of weeks, while those farther east will see temperatures cooler than normal.
August 1 through 5:
August 7 through 13:
Thanks and a hat tip go out to Jim.
Firefighter dies while off duty in Oregon
Several media outlets are reporting that a wildland firefighter died while he was off duty at a fire camp. Matthew David Goodnature, 21, of Phoenix, Oregon was found by another firefighter Tuesday evening, July 29, near Four Mile Lake on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Oregon. Mr. Goodnature was assigned to the Launch Fire and apparently took a walk away from the camp where an accident occurred.
According to Newswatch 12:
Detective Nick Kennedy with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case, and said he cannot draw any conclusions until his investigation is done. However, it appears that Goodnature tripped on a large rock and fell backwards. Scruff marks and other traces indicated Goodnature fell on a log that struck him on the small of his back. Detective Kennedy said it appears he died of a broken back.
Mr. Goodnature worked for Pacific Oasis Wildland Firefighting out of Ashland, Oregon.
We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends,and co-workers.
Previously this year, there have been a total of six wildland firefighter fatalities: one aviation accident (plane crash) and five medical emergencies (heart attack). All six were either state or local jurisdiction employees.
Thanks and a hat tip go out to Jeff.
Cake honors wildland firefighters
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized3 Comments on Cake honors wildland firefighters 
I was flipping through the channels one day and ran across the “Cake Boss” show, where they do impressive things with flour and sugar. But I’ve never seen a fancy cake that was dedicated to wildland firefighters. Some of the detail is amazing. Check out the stitching in the belt loops.
It was cooked made constructed invented by Sarah C. Gracey, an Urban Forestry Coordinator for the Kentucky Division of Forestry. Ms. Gracey is also qualified as a Type 2 Public Information Officer.
I have discovered a new hazard in writing about wildland fire… getting very hungry while covering a story about a fire cake.
