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 danger.…
#Fire, #Aviation, #FireAndAviationManagement, #Helicopter, #Firefighters, #WildlandFirefighting, #Wildfire
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
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
Ready for Wildfires
Wildfires are growing bigger, faster and more unpredictable. Drought conditions and years of accumulated dry vegetation continue to raise the stakes, and the U.S. Forest Service is prepared.The Forest Service coordinates the largest and most capable firefighting systems in the world. The mission: keep the public and firefighters safe, protect communities and actively manage forests.A National…
#Priorities, #Recreation, #ForestInventoryAndAnalysis, #Fire, #EmergencyPreparedness, #Wildfire, #EmergencyResponse, #Aviation, #Firefighters, #FirefighterSafety, #Firesafety, #Smokejumpers, #Helicopter
Air support helps extinguish July 4 Madre Fire
As many as 11 air tankers lent essential support to ground crews working to extinguish the Madre Fire on Los Padres National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Andrew Madsen.
When the Madre Fire erupted early in the afternoon of July 2, firefighting personnel from California’s Los Padres…
#Firefighters, #Aviation
Paving the way on the Sierra National Forest
Helicopter takes off from the nicely paved Trimmer Heliport, in route to a wildfire water drop on the Sierra National Forest. (USDA Forest Service photo by Bert Valdez)
Don’t be fooled into thinking fixing asphalt is quick and easy. While we may take the ground we travel upon for granted,…