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Photos of firefighting aircraft at Sierra Vista Airport in Arizona

Helicopter 9AC, an Erickson Air-Crane at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport
Helicopter 9AC, an Erickson Air-Crane at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport while working the Contreras Fire, June 16, 2022. Photo by Ned Harris.

These photos of aircraft that were working on the Contreras Fire were taken by Ned Harris June 16, 2022 at the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport, a joint-use civil-military airport which shares facilities with Libby Army Airfield on Fort Huachuca in Southern Arizona.

Contreras Fire 3-D map, north end, June 18, 2022
Contreras Fire 3-D map, north end, June 18, 2022.

The lightning-caused fire started June 11, 2022 and burned more than 29,000 acres. It threatened the 20+ observatories at Kitt Peak National Observatory, destroying a dormitory and three other structures unrelated to the science being conducted at the facility. As this is written June 24, evacuations are still in effect at the observatories. The early analysis is that the structures housing the telescopes did not receive any significant damage, but the effects, if any, on the optical systems will be assessed in the coming weeks.

We will post more of Ned’s photos tomorrow, June 25. Thank you Ned!

Air tanker 131, a C-130, takes off at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport
Air tanker 131, a C-130, takes off at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport while working the Contreras Fire, June 16, 2022. Photo by Ned Harris
Air tanker 02, a BAe-146, takes off at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport
Air tanker 02, a BAe-146, takes off at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport while working the Contreras Fire, June 16, 2022. Photo by Ned Harris.
Tanker 107, an MD-87, at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport
Tanker 107, an MD-87, at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport while working the Contreras Fire, June 16, 2022. Photo by Ned Harris.

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