Bulldozers of fire
At about 50,000 pounds, equipped with a 12 foot metal blade, the medium sized dozer can construct a wider fireline quickly. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, medium-sized dozers are generally the best all-around size for fireline construction as they are maneuverable and…
#Fire, #Firefighters, #WildlandFirefighting, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Mitigation, #HeavyEquipment, #Wildfire, #FireLine
Operation Sky Hammer: fighting fire in the rockies
When smoke begins to rise across the Rocky Mountains, a unique firefighting force lifts off—fast. Operation Sky Hammer was designed to improve success during initial attack on wildfires. The effort combines two helitankers, a helicopter coordinator, and a mobile retardant base. Together, they form a highly mobile and high‑powered response team that can be staged in areas with high…
#Fire, #Aviation, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Helicopter, #Firefighters
Smokejumper Spotter Academy: Training Leaders in the Sky
Pick your favorite theme song and imagine it hits the loudspeakers. You suit up, load up and head out to the plane. After a 20-minute flight you are briefed about the jump spot and the fire behavior. A tap on the back tells you to hone your focus and remember every day of training you’ve had as you free fall into the atmosphere. Five seconds, a tug and tranquility follows the rush of adrenaline…
#Smokejumpers, #Wildfire, #WildlandFire, #WildlandFirefighters, #Aviation, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Fire, #Firefighters
Ready for wildfire
The warning signs flashed early this year. After a dismal winter snowpack across many western high elevations, forests are drying faster and by midsummer may be ripe for extreme fire conditions. Communities face mounting risk, but federal fire leaders are keeping the nation’s wildfire response system ready.“All of our predictive models point to a challenging summer,” says Deputy Chief Sarah…
#Fire, #Wildfire, #Firefighters
Busy airspace
Note: While unauthorized drones in restricted airspace can halt firefighting air operations, the Forest Service is increasingly incorporating uncrewed aerial systems in wildfire operations. From 2019 to 2025 the Forest Service has increased drone flights by 2,483% on active incidents (…
#Drones, #UAS, #UnmannedAircraftSystems, #Safety, #Fire, #Firesafety, #Flying, #Recreation, #Aviation
Putting fire on the ground
Fire personnel monitor the Crystal Reservoir prescribed fire near Colorado Springs, Colorado, on May 16, 2025. (Forest Service photo by Josh Cowden)
In places like the Pike-San Isabel National Forests across the country, fire has shaped the land for thousands of years. Many forests depend on…