Wildfire Today

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Wildfire Today

Eagle fire pictures, part 3

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized
Crew boarding helicopter
From the context of this photo, I believe this crew is preparing to board a helicopter. July 24, 2011.

Here are some pictures taken at the Eagle fire in San Diego County, which burned between Warner Springs and Borrego Springs, California. All of these photos are from the CalFire Flickr page. The first photo was taken by Kevin Pack, CalFire VIP photographer. The second two are credit: CalFire. There were no captions on the photos that described exactly what was taking place, so I made up my own. However, the dates the photos were taken are available. Most of these photos were uploaded to Flickr on July 31, 2011.  The fire was contained after burning 14,100 acres.

OCFA helicopter
Orange County Fire Authority helicopter. July 26, 2011.
Incident Base
This appears to be the Incident Base. July 26, 2011.

South Dakota firefighter killed on wildfire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 1 Comment on South Dakota firefighter killed on wildfire

On Thursday, August 11, a firefighter employed by the state of South Dakota was killed in an entrapment on a wildfire. Here is an excerpt from theRapid City Journal:

A Hot Springs seasonal firefighter died and two others were injured after being caught in a burn-over while fighting the Coal Canyon Fire near Edgemont on Thursday afternoon.

Trampus Haskvitz, 23, died from injuries he suffered when winds from a storm system pushed the fire into the area he was working, trapping him and two others.

Haskvitz and the others were fighting a lightning-sparked fire about 9 miles north of Edgemont.

The injured are Austin Whitney and Kevin Fees, also of Hot Springs. The men were airlifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Whitney is being transferred tonight to a burn center in Greeley, Colo.

Fees is in stable condition at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

“This is very sad news,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said in a prepared statement. “Linda and I are praying for Trampus’ loved ones, and for the firefighters who were injured. Too many times in recent weeks, South Dakotans have been reminded just how much we owe to the firefighters, law enforcement and others who risk their lives to protect us all.”

The three firefighters were seasonal employees of the South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression Division.

Our sincere condolences go out to the families and co-workers, and we hope for a quick recovery for the two injured firefighters.

South Dakota firefighters have been busy over the last month. The WhoopUp fire that burned from Wyoming into South Dakota blackened over 10,000 acres in mid-July and prompted a fire behavior advisory that warned of unusually high rates of spread on fires due to heavier than normal winter and spring rains that led to a thick growth of grass.

 

Thanks go out to Jerome and Robert

Eagle fire pictures, part 2

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized1 Comment on Eagle fire pictures, part 2
National Guard helicopter #802
National Guard helicopter #802. Maybe next time they could try to paint the numbers a little larger. July 24, 2011.

Here are some pictures taken at the Eagle fire in San Diego County, which burned between Warner Springs and Borrego Springs, California. All of these photos are from the CalFire Flickr page. They were taken by Kevin Pack, CalFire VIP photographer. There were no captions on the photos that described exactly what was taking place, so I made up my own. However, the dates the photos were taken are available. Most of these photos were uploaded to Flickr on July 31, 2011. The fire was contained after burning 14,100 acres.

Command vehicle
The appears to be either the Planning or Logistics Section working in a trailer or motor home. July 25, 2011.
Fire Watch helicopter
The U. S. Forest Service’s Fire Watch Cobra helicopter. July 28, 2011.

More information about the Fire Watch helicopters.

Eagle fire pictures, part 1

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Uncategorized
Discussing strategy
Discussing strategy. July 24, 2011.

Here are some pictures taken at the Eagle fire in San Diego County, which burned between Warner Springs and Borrego Springs, California. All of these photos are from the CalFire Flickr page. The first two photos were taken by Kevin Pack, CalFire VIP photographer. For the third one the photographer is not listed, but it should be credit: CalFire. There were no captions on the photos that described exactly what was taking place, so I made up my own. The dates the photos were taken are available. Most of these photos were uploaded to Flickr on July 31, 2011. The fire was contained after burning 14,100 acres.

P-3 and Bronco
A CalFire OV-10 Bronco, and Tanker 00, shortly before the USFS cancelled the contract with Aero Union for all of their P-3 air tankers. July 28, 2011.
Inmate crew carrier vehicles
We counted 19 inmate crew carrier vehicles in this photo. July 25, 2011

Suspects arraigned for starting Eagle fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags

Two men have been arrested and arraigned for starting the Eagle fire that burned 14,100 acres in northeastern San Diego County in southern California. Here is an excerpt from an article in the North County Times:

Less than an hour after finding a guard shack burned to the ground in the middle of a wildfire that would soon grow to 22 square miles, firefighters found a sport utility vehicle stuck in the road. Inside the truck, they found Keystone beer cans, a gas can and a lighter, according to court documents.

The truck was registered to the father of Jeremy Ortiz, one of two men who on Friday pleaded not guilty to aggravated arson, court documents state. Jeremy Ortiz and friend Jesse Durbin are accused of starting the Eagle fire on July 21.

Ortiz, 23, a member of the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla Indians, was arrested Thursday in a joint law enforcement operation on charges of aggravated arson and forest land arson, authorities said.

Durbin, 23 and also a tribal member, was already in the Vista jail on a vehicle theft charge when he was arrested in connection with setting the large fire. No one was injured in the blaze.

The two men were in a Vista courtroom Friday, where they pleaded not guilty to charges related to the blaze. They are each being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

If convicted of aggravated arson, each faces 10 years to life in prison, Deputy District Attorney Terri Perez said.

When the fire grew out of control and homes were threatened, Ortiz’s family home was among the first to be evacuated, according to court documents.

 

Thanks go out to Eric

Wildfire helicopters at Custer helitack

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags

It has been just over two years since we visited the wildfire helitack base at the Custer, South Dakota airport during their open house which commemorated 50 years of service. Unfortunateley when I stopped by the other day, there was no barbecue grill stocked with hot dogs and hamburgers like last time. Poor planning on my part.

This year Custer helitack has the same combination of helicopters they have had for the last four years, one Type 3 and a Type 1.

Boeing-Vertol 107 at Custer, SD
Boeing-Vertol 107 Type 1 helicopter at the Custer, SD helibase

The Vertol crew told me that the helicopter has been used for approximately 160 flight hours so far this fire season.

Astar Type 3 helicopter at the Custer, SD helibase
Astar Type 3 helicopter at the Custer, SD helibase
The ground response vehicles at the Custer, SD helibase
The ground response vehicles at the Custer, SD helibase. L to R: the contractor's helicopter service truck, the NPS-supplied crew vehicle, and the USFS-supplied helitack truck.

Note the two decals, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, on the door of the white 4-door pickup. The helicopter operation is interagency. In addition to the obvious USFS funding, the NPS contributes that truck and a crewperson or two.