The map shows the distribution of wildfire smoke at 5:06 p.m. MDT August 28m 2017.
Author: Bill Gabbert
After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.
747 SuperTanker receives CAL FIRE contract
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized9 Comments on 747 SuperTanker receives CAL FIRE contract 
Above: Air Tanker 944, the 747 SuperTanker, at Colorado Springs, May 4, 2016. Photo by Bill Gabbert.
Originally published on Fire Aviation at 2:23 p.m. MDT August 28, 2017.
Jim Wheeler President and CEO of Global SuperTanker said today their 747 SuperTanker has received a call when needed (CWN) contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The aircraft and crew were also issued cards by CAL FIRE, meaning they passed the inspections and meet the qualifications. The U.S. Forest Service participated in the process but they do not issue cards until a USFS contract is in place.
Mr. Wheeler said the air tanker is presently at McClellan Air Field and is available.
The first time the 747 was used on a U.S. fire was on the Railbelt Complex of Fires in Alaska August 1, 2009. About a month later it assisted firefighters on the Station Fire near Los Angeles.
Filson honors aerial firefighters
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on Filson honors aerial firefighters Filson produced this video to honor smokejumpers and rappellers of the U.S. Forest Service.
This is how Filson describes the video:
For 112 years, the United States Forest Service has been caretaker of America’s most cherished natural resources: our public lands. Through their tireless efforts, 193 million acres of grasslands and national forests are ours to explore and cultivate-now and for generations to come.
Update on Chetco Bar Fire and other wildfires in the Northwest
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized10 Comments on Update on Chetco Bar Fire and other wildfires in the Northwest 
Above: Satellite photo from August 27, 2017 showing smoke created by fires in the Northwestern United States, including Chetco Bar, Liberty, Rice Ridge, and Jolly Mountain Fires. The red dots on the map represent heat detected by the satellite on August 28.
(Originally published at 9:55 a.m. MDT August 28, 2017)
The Chetco Bar Fire in Southwest Oregon has not been growing as quickly in recent days as it did earlier when it quadrupled in size over four days and crossed the 100,000-acre threshold. The most recent mapping puts it at almost 108,000 acres. The area is under a Red Flag Warning on through Tuesday for gusty southwest winds and low humidities which could result in increased burning intensity and rapid fire growth.
The 4,400-acre Jolly Mountain Fire in Central Washington is near a Red Flag Warning area. Fire officials’ expectations for Monday:
Southern and western flanks of the fire will become active with uphill crown runs both on the east and west sides of West Fork drainage. SE flank will continue to back downslope. Fire will become increasingly active as it spreads to the south, where it loses its downslope effect and in more exposed to general winds. Fire likely to cross Sasse Ridge to the west.
The 12,800-acre Liberty Fire has been burning northeast of Missoula, Montana since July 15 while the Rice Ridge Fire, not far away, has spread over 27,800 acres since it started two weeks later. Hot, dry weather on Monday could cause both blazes to become more active.
Wildfires in Southeastern Europe
There are many wildfires burning in Southeastern Europe in the countries of Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We were unable to find much information about them on English language web sites.
The red dots in the photo represent heat detected by the satellite.
Hawk and snake combination start wildfire in Montana
Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on Hawk and snake combination start wildfire in Montana Firefighters with the Black Eagle Fire Department working on a fire that burned 40 acres in northern Montana didn’t know what started the fire until Kyra Vanisko discovered a dead hawk at the point of origin. Still in the bird’s talons was a snake, also very dead. The carcases were below a poweline, so the working theory is that the hawk, carrying the snake, intended to land on the line but on final approach the snake dangling below contacted one line while the hawk touched another. The completed circuit electrocuted both animals.
It is not the first time a bird has started a fire. Other stories on Wildfire Today about animal arson.
