Author Topic: 2011 Fire Season (Read 3654 times)

woodtroll · « **Reply #40 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:12:54 am »

clww
I know an engine from here that went there, The Swamp Fire.
I leave at 5 for my next in state.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #41 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:28:11 pm »

At Least 6 Fires Burning in Wyoming

The Houston Chronicle, August 24th
Six wildfires were burning in Wyoming on Tuesday, including one that has blackened about 8,500 acres of trees and grass 15 miles west of Wheatland. Authorities said the Wheatland fire destroyed a seasonal cabin and an outbuilding. The lightning-started fire is about 20 percent contained. About 200 personnel were on scene. A fire in the Gros Ventre Wilderness northeast of Jackson had burned about 3,600 acres by Tuesday. About 75 personnel were on the scene. Fire managers had not posted a containment figure. The lightning-caused fire was spotted on Saturday. To read more of this article link to: Link

woodtroll · « **Reply #42 on:** August 31, 2011, 01:20:38 pm »

I just got back from a fire tour. Twelve days of fun...
Today is a red flag day for most of Wyoming so I will likely leave again.

I was on the fire near Wheatland, it ended up at 14400 acres and the cabin was not lost (out house was).
My crew put the line around it, county 6x6's did a good job of protecting it.

My lesson from this fire was a hint at the politics between federal agencies and the state and county (local) agencies.

After that we assisted one of the poorer less populated counties, they had around 20 different fires for a total of 12000 acres.

When I have breathing room I will up load pics.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #43 on:** September 09, 2011, 08:18:14 pm »

Wildfire Update

An Estimated 30,000 Acres Burned in Cass County

News-Journal.com, September 7th
Texas Forest Service officials estimated that as much as 30,000 acres of timber and pasture in Cass and Marion counties had been scorched by wildfires by Tuesday evening. Dozens of residents, along with weary firefighters, friends and onlookers gathered at various points along U.S. 59 and other roadways in the Linden area on Labor Day and into Tuesday. By Tuesday morning, the damage was estimated to be at least 7,000 acres - with zero containment. Estimates of the amount of damage in Cass County grew to 14,000 acres by noon Tuesday. To read more of this article link to:Link

Firefighting Plane's Use in Texas Wildfire Delayed

The Associated Press, September 8th
Firefighters can't use one of their biggest weapons against a devastating wildfire in Central Texas because they don't yet have the tanks and pipes to fill a converted jetliner with fire retardant nor a pilot to fly it over the blaze. The Texas Forest Service says the DC-10 arrived from California on Wednesday, but it won't be used until at least Friday to battle the fire that's destroyed nearly 1,400 homes. Agency spokeswoman Holly Huffman says the state doesn't have the equipment to fill the plane and is awaiting the shipment from California. To read more of this article link to: Link

The E-Forester

Ron Scott · « **Reply #44 on:** September 09, 2011, 08:24:09 pm »

The Federal Government Grounded Half Its Firefighting Planes Just Weeks Before The Texas Wildfires

Business Insider, Published by Robert Johnson, September 7th
A fleet of P-3 Orions, vital to the nations ability to control forest fires, were put out of service by the Obama administration following a contract dispute just five weeks ago. According to Human Events, this leaves the federal government with only 11 tankers to battle the more than 50 large uncontrolled forest fires burning nationwide -- including the Texas fires that killed a mother and her child. This is 40 tankers less than was available to the Forest Service just 10 years ago. Aero Union, the largest supplier of heavy-duty air tanker support to the government had their contract cancelled after disagreements over their maintenance plan. Aero CEO Britt Gourley said he and his crews were prepared to fly and instead he was forced to put 60 people out of work with virtually no explanation. To read more of this article link to: http://www.businessinsider.com/grounded-firefighting-planes-texas-wildfires-2011-9#ixzz1XO3g07E0

The E-Forester

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #45 on:** September 10, 2011, 09:55:52 am »

Fires go on, no rain in the sights, at least two more weeks before there is any hope of significant rain. Homes lost approaching 2000 along with other structures. Bastrop fire still only 30% contained. DC 10 on line, but limited, because of nature of the aircraft and crew, to one drop every two days. Only 2 fields in Texas can handle the fully loaded aircraft, fortunately, one is San Antonia and less than an hours flight to Bastrop. It can drop 11,000 gallons of retardant over an area a quarter mile long, and 500 feet wide, only slows, does not extinguish. Don't know if the feds have released the Orions that were shut down due to contract disagreements, but, fed burro's seem to be slow and unresponsive to the need. Obama did call it a disaster.

I said some where else, the old fire dog in me raises his head every now and then, and I have to pat him back down, this is a young man's job, and it is making old men out of them. Long hours.

thecfarm · « **Reply #46 on:** September 11, 2011, 06:53:06 am »

I can not imagine all the miles of fire and the destruction the fire has left. I've been involved with 2 fires just about ½ miles from my home. They were both small fires,only burned about 5-10 acres.,no homes.I hope that relief is coming to your area soon. You all need it.

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #47 on:** September 11, 2011, 09:33:13 am »

Bastrop fire supposedly 50% contained, at around 35,000 acres, Tri County fire supposedly 50% contained at around 25,000 acres.

Idiots still burning debris and letting it out.

Multiple new fires daily. This thing will take us well into winter.

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #48 on:** September 11, 2011, 11:41:34 am »

http://www.click2houston.com/news/29139408/detail.html

Ron Scott · « **Reply #49 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:39:13 pm »

THE BWCA IS ON FIRE, AGAIN

Smoke from a large wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area can be smelled across much of the U.P. and the odor has been strong, at times, in Wisconsin's Fox Valley.

Twin Cities Pioneer Press article from yesterday (Tuesday). http://www.twincities.com/ci_18888969

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

PAGAMI CREEK FIRE, some numbers

80,000 size of the fire in acres Tuesday. It is still growing.
28 days the fire has been burning
1 structures burned
0 Injuries
200+ firefighters
11 Aircraft fighting

beenthere · « **Reply #50 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:44:41 pm »

And I just heard that the fire wasn't from the Vikings burning the old #4 jerseys.

Smoke was in Milwaukee last night, and the Brewers stadium was closed. People were told by the health dept. to stay indoors with the air conditioner running. Wow. Like wood smoke was a new thing.

trapper · « **Reply #51 on:** September 14, 2011, 09:30:58 pm »

We had the smoke by me yesterday and the moon was red from it last night. Clear today.
Marv

Ron Scott · « **Reply #52 on:** September 16, 2011, 07:58:23 pm »

Bastrop Texas Fire

Ron Scott · « **Reply #53 on:** September 21, 2011, 10:57:00 am »

Minnesota Wildfire Spreads to 100,000 Acres

Reuters, Published by David Bailey, September 14th
An out of control wildfire has charred 100,000 acres of a northeastern Minnesota wilderness area popular for canoeing and camping, though cooler temperatures and some rain slowed its growth on Wednesday. The new estimate of the scope of the fire's unprecedented growth from Monday to Tuesday came after a U.S. Forest Service flyover Tuesday afternoon gave a better view through the smoke, forest service spokeswoman Lisa Radosevich-Craig said. "There was so much smoke that they couldn't get a good parameter of the fire line," Radosevich-Craig said. To read more of this article link to: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/14/us-minnesota-forestfire-idUSTRE78D59O20110914

The E-Forester

Ron Scott · « **Reply #54 on:** September 23, 2011, 09:24:05 pm »

Texas Wildfires Largely Controlled, but Risks Remain

LA Times (September 19) - The Texas Forest Service says wildfires that began more than 2 weeks ago in Bastrop County have been 95 percent contained. Across the state, other major fires had also been brought under control by [September 19], but risks remained, fire officials said.

Texas Forest Service Suspects Wildfire Started with Power Line Sparks

Associated Press (September 20) - According to fire officials, sparks from electric power lines likely started the blaze that became the most destructive wildfire in Texas history.

The E-Forester

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #55 on:** September 24, 2011, 09:33:54 am »

I had a job to do damage appraisal in the Bearing Fire, in Polk and Trinity counties here in Texas. It was only about 24,000 acres, mostly plantations. It is the biggest burn I had ever worked around, and the damage was staggering.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #56 on:** October 25, 2011, 07:17:17 pm »

U.S. Forest Service Looks to Add More Air Tankers to Fight Wildifres

Missoulian, Published by Rob Chaney, October 22nd
Fighting fire from the air will remain a major tactic for the U.S. Forest Service, and the skies could start to get crowded soon. "We want to have more than 11, but probably less than 44 large air tankers," U.S. Forest Service national fire director Tom Harbour said in a recent interview with the Missoulian. "I think ultimately we'll have between two and three dozen large air tankers." Eleven multi-engine retardant bombers remain under contract with the Forest Service, down from a fleet of 44 in 2004. Missoula-based Neptune Aviation has nine of those tankers, while Minden Air of Arizona has the other two. Fighting fire from the air will remain a major tactic for the U.S. Forest Service, and the skies could start to get crowded soon. "We want to have more than 11, but probably less than 44 large air tankers," U.S. Forest Service national fire director Tom Harbour said in a recent interview with the Missoulian. "I think ultimately we'll have between two and three dozen large air tankers." To read more about this article link to: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_7d2ed3b8-fd1f-11e0-8aa3-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1bcjnNMg5

The E-Forester

Ron Scott · « **Reply #57 on:** November 11, 2011, 08:15:09 pm »

Firefighters Continue to Patrol 5,000-Acre Wildfire

Rolla Daily News (November 7) - Mark Twain National Forest firefighters continue to patrol and check the 5,000-acre Minninghaw wildfire near Salem, Missouri.

The Minninghaw Fire, which is 5,025 acres in size, started November 1, and is located in southern Dent County near the Shannon County line, approximately 7 miles west of Bunker.

The E-Forester

madhatte · « **Reply #58 on:** December 28, 2011, 02:22:41 pm »

Saw the Wallow fire from the air on the night of June 2, as I flew into Phoenix from Tampa. Watched it make at least three runs as I passed at 36,000 feet. Absolutely amazing. I'm pretty sure nobody else on the plane even noticed.

It was a pretty chill fire season here. We were busy enough with the "usual suspects" but there were no really memorable events.

woodtroll · « **Reply #59 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:40:30 am »

Just a note for the guys traveling for fire. The US Forest Service is not going to be the banker for all fires.
So what does this mean? (as I understand it)

If you get sent out as a county volunteer or a contractor make sure you have an agreement for who will pay if it is not a fed fire.

For example, if I get sent out with from a local county to Texas for a fire there, I would need to know if there is an agreement for payment in place, and who will pay it. Other wise I may be waiting awhile for pay.

I guess TX owes (owed?) around $500 million for their fun fire season to the USFS.

News:

Author Topic: 2011 Fire Season (Read 3654 times)