2022 - Page 34 of 73 - Wildfire Today

July 2 will be the first “National Wildland Firefighter Day”

Bill GabbertJune 27, 2022UncategorizedWildland Firefighter Day17 Comments

Dixie Fire at Greenville, CA, 2021 — Firefighter at the Dixie Fire near Greenville, CA, 2021. Jay Walter.

On Tuesday June 28 at 11 a.m. MDT there will be an event live-streamed on facebook announcing the designation of July 2 as National Wildland Firefighter Day.

(Following is a news release from the National Interagency Fire Center:)

The newly established National Wildland Firefighter Day (July 2) recognizes the dedication of wildland firefighters, including federal, state, local, rural, contract, and support personnel. The selected date is especially meaningful as it occurs during the Week of Remembrance, which is held annually June 30 to July 6, and serves as an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety as we remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.

National Wildland Firefighter Day is designed to recognize the hard work and devotion of all wildland firefighters and support personnel who are the backbone of the wildland fire community. These men and women work to save lives, property, infrastructure and precious natural and cultural resources every year, and we are incredibly thankful for their professional skills and efforts.

The National Wildland Firefighter Day was also created to support The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for DOI and USDA Wildland Fire Management programs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides significant funding to expand a workforce reform initiative designed to further reinforce wildland fire management staff.

Over the next five years, the Interior and Agriculture Departments will receive $8 billion to fund forest and land management activities, including $600 million for firefighter pay – providing about 1,500 additional firefighters and supporting President Biden’s commitment that no federal firefighter will make less than $15 an hour. The Law also provides for critical wildland firefighter workforce improvements, ranging from a new wildland firefighter classification series to mental health support, and improved compensation to additional training.

Firefighters attack Ridge Fire near Mt. Shasta community in Northern California

Bill GabbertJune 26, 2022June 26, 2022WildfireCalifornia, Ridge Fire6 Comments

9 a.m. PDT June 26, 2022

map Location of Ridge Fire — Map showing the location of the Ridge Fire at 1 a.m. June 26, 2022.

At about 9 p.m. Saturday firefighters responded to the Ridge Fire two miles northwest of the city of Mt. Shasta, west of Interstate 5 in Northern California. Infrared cameras showed multiple heat sources. It is not known if there was more than one ignition or if spot fires occurred from a single fire. The size estimate from CAL FIRE is 10 acres.

It is in an area with difficult access, on private land about a quarter mile outside the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

#RidgeFire (W/O #MtShastaCity, Siskiyou Co) – There are now at least 3 visible spot fires on the cameras & they all appear to be east or N/E of the original fire. pic.twitter.com/H79NeTMEAZ

— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) June 26, 2022

The weather after sunset at the Mt. Shasta weather station two miles away in the community, recorded 2 mph winds out of the southeast switching to the northeast after 9 p.m. The relative humidity in the town, which may not be representative of conditions near the fire on ridge, increased overnight from 10 to 63 percent.

The forecast for Sunday at the fire area calls for 93 degrees, 12-15 percent relative humidity, and 2 to 6 mph winds out of the southeast becoming south in the afternoon.

Ridge Fire as seen from Mt. Bradley, 8:21 a.m., June 26, 2022.

Dempsey Fire west of Mineral Wells, continues to challenge Texas firefighters

Bill GabbertJune 26, 2022June 26, 2022WildfireDempsey Fire, Texas3 Comments

Dempsey Fire, June 25, 2022. Texas Forest Service.

The Dempsey Fire six miles west of Mineral Wells, Texas has crossed the Brazos River in several places. It was very active again Saturday, but not to the extreme levels seen on Friday.

When the fire was mapped by an aircraft at 8 p.m. Saturday the northwest side had reached Fortune Bend Road and spotted across. The northeast side of the fire was close to Wrangler Field and had not reached Grassy Ridge Road or Lewis Road. It was about three miles south of Graford, one mile west of highway 337, and two to three miles south of highway 254.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Dempsey Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

The size at that time, accounting for the large unburned areas along the river, was about 10,000 acres. Sunday morning the Texas Forest Service reported it had burned 11,597 acres.

Dempsey Fire map, 8 p.m. CDT June 25, 2022.

On Saturday crews continued to construct line, hold the fire along roadways, engage spot fires, and hold the fire along the Brazos River where they could. Aircraft assisted firefighters on the ground with drops from helicopters and air tankers.

Dempsey fire morning briefing, June 26, 2022. Texas Forest Service.

The weather forecast for the fire area issued at 5:55 a.m. Sunday calls for sunny skies becoming partly cloudy after 3 p.m., 100 degrees, 25 percent relative humidity, and 9 to 13 mph winds out of the west shifting to the northeast in the afternoon with gusts to 23 by 5 p.m. The variable wind direction should slow the growth to the north, but will be a challenge to firefighters as they work to remain safe as the direction of spread changes.

Dempsey Fire, satellite photo, 5:31 p.m. CDT June 25, 2022. NOAA.

Dempsey Fire, the afternoon of June 25, 2022. Texas Forest Service.

Firefighters stop the Elmore Fire in Anchorage, Alaska

Bill GabbertJune 25, 2022June 25, 2022WildfireAlaska, Conair, CV-580, Elmore Fire, Q400, T-5406 Comments

Q400 air tanker drops Elmore Fire Anchorage, Alaska — A Q400 air tanker, Tanker 540, drops on the Elmore Fire near Anchorage, Alaska June 23, 2022. Mike McMillan/ AK DOF.

Firefighters in Alaska were able to stop the spread of the Elmore Fire on the east side of Anchorage Thursday at 13 acres before it spread into structures. It was reported at 5 p.m. in the Campbell Track area near the intersection of Dowling and Elmore Roads.

Alaska Dept. of Forestry firefighters on the Elmore Fire, Anchorage, AK June 23, 2022. Mike McMillan-Alaska DOF.

Personnel responded from the Pioneer Interagency Hotshot Crew, Palmer forestry, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage Fire Department, and Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF). A group of Canadian firefighters staged in the area with the DOF through the use of the Northwest Compact were also on scene.

The firefighters were assisted by one DOF helicopter and two fixed wing air tankers operated by Conair, a Q400 and a Convair 580. The Q400, Tanker 540, is seen above.

The DOF has a contract with Conair to supply two Convair 580 air tankers, but the company has the option to substitute one of their Q400 tankers for a 580 at the same price. One of the tankers is usually based at Palmer and the other at Fairbanks.

In 2021 Conair purchased 11 Q400 aircraft from Flybe Airlines. The first one was delivered at Conair facilities in Abbotsford, British Columbia, February 21, 2021. After being converted to air tankers, called A400ATs (Air Tanker), they will eventually replace the L-188’s and CV-580’s currently operated by Conair. Showcasing a Q400 in Alaska can increase the familiarity of the tanker among Conair’s potential clients.

The repurposed Q400s are capable of holding up to 2,640 gallons of retardant. The CV-580s were produced between 1947 and 1954 and can carry up to 2,100 gallons. The Q400 cruises about 50 mph faster than a CV-580.

Before purchasing the 11 Q400’s from Flybe, Conair had two A400ATs operational within their fleet that were used in 2021 for the first time in the North American fire season, including Alaska. They also had one under contract in Australia during the 2020-2021 bushfire season.

In 2017 the Conair Group secured a deal to sell six Q400MR (Multi-Role) air tankers to France’s Securite Civile (Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Preparedness). These were new aircraft that Conair purchased from Bombardier which can be reconfigured in a few hours to carry passengers, hence the Multi-Role designation. The new aircraft are replacing France’s old S-2 air tankers.

Dempsey Fire burns thousands of acres west of Mineral Wells, Texas

Bill GabbertJune 24, 2022June 26, 2022WildfireDempsey Fire, Texas5 Comments

Updated at 9:54 a.m. CDT June 25, 2022

Dempsey Fire map, 8:54 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022.

The Dempsey Fire showed extreme activity well into Friday night and only slowed down when when high humidity set in early Saturday morning. The fire jumped FM Road 4 and Fortune Bend Road, and crossed the Brazos River in multiple places.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Dempsey Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

Additional dozer and engine crews have arrived on scene and began constructing and holding line early Saturday morning. Helicopters and air tankers are expected to be available to assist firefighters.

Satellite photo of smoke from the Dempsey Fire at 5:46 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022.

At 9 a.m. Saturday the Texas Forest Service was still saying the size is 6,500 acres. That could change with updated mapping.

An updated spot weather forecast from the NWS for Saturday calls for clear skies, 105 degrees, 19 percent relative humidity, and winds out of the south at 5 to 9 mph.

10:35 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022

Dempsey Fire, west of Mineral Springs, Texas — Dempsey Fire, west of Mineral Wells, Texas, June 24, 2022. Photo via Texas Forest Service.

The Dempsey Fire 6 miles west of Mineral Wells, Texas was extremely active Friday afternoon, growing to approximately 6,500 acres as the temperature soared to 106 degrees. The Texas Forest Service reported it ran to the north and northwest, jumping the Brazos River and FM Road.

Dempsey Fire location map Texas — Dempsey Fire location map, 6 miles west of Mineral Wells, TX.

Engines have been engaged in structure protection as dozers construct line along the flanks of the fire. Aircraft are assisting firefighters by cooling the head and flanks, slowing the rate of spread and buying time for the ground crews. Evacuations are in effect south of Grassy Ridge Road.

After 2 p.m. Friday the wind at the Mineral Wells Airport was out of the south and southeast at 10 to 18 mph gusting at 20 to 30 while the relative humidity was 17 percent. The spot weather forecast for Friday night calls for 7 to 12 mph winds out of the south and southeast with the humidity rising to 50 percent by dawn. On Saturday the wind will be from the south at 10 to 15 mph with 18 percent relative humidity and a high temperature of 105. These weather conditions will favor the continued spread of the fire to the north and northwest .

Firefighter injured by falling tree after water drop

Bill GabbertJune 24, 2022Wildfireexploding tree, helicopter, injury2 Comments

Treated at hospital and released

A Fremont, California firefighter was injured Thursday while working on the Canyon Fire northeast of the city near Sunol in Alameda County. The Fremont Fire Department said Thursday night that “the firefighter was hit by a falling tree after a water drop operation. Thankfully the firefighter was released from the hospital this evening and is expected to be ok.”

A reporter from KPIX TV, @KatiePPIX, said another firefighter was transported to a hospital for a heat related injury after working in “near triple digit temps.”

The spread of the fire was stopped after it burned 71 acres. Firefighters were assisted by helicopters and air tankers.

In the second video below, a large Type 1 helicopter can be seen making a drop on the Canyon Fire.

#CanyonFire pic.twitter.com/u1HvrmW1r7

— Jaden Schaul (@jadenschaul) June 23, 2022

On May 29, 2022 three firefighters were injured when struck by water dropped from a large Type 1 helicopter on the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak Fire in New Mexico. They were not injured directly by the water, but were knocked onto boulders by the force of the drop. It occurred while they were crossing a steep rocky piece of ground consisting boulders two to three feet in diameter, according to a preliminary report. The most seriously injured had multiple surgeries to repair facial fractures and a broken kneecap.

In 2018 three firefighters were injured and one was killed by falling tree debris resulting from an air tanker retardant drop. The accident occurred on the Ranch Fire which was part of the Mendocino Complex of Fires east of Ukiah, California.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: