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
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
Reducing fuels on steep slopes
Tahoe National Forest’s North Yuba watershed is a highly productive water source for downstream residents and the agricultural industry across northern California. Although it is the largest continuous unburned landscape in the Central Sierras, it is also one of the most difficult forests to keep safe…
#NorthYubaForestPartnership, #Helicopter, #NationalForestFoundation, #HazardousFuels, #Wildfire, #Fire, #TahoeNationalForest
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,…
#GreatAmericanOutdoorsAct, #DisasterReliefSupplementalAppropriationsAct, #Fire, #Infrastructure, #Aviation, #Helicopter, #SierraNationalForest
A History of the USDA Forest Service Aviation Program
The Forest Service has used aircraft in fire management since 1919. This book details that history, from the early days of air patrols with the U.S. Army to the modern use of airtankers, helicopters, infrared aircraft, and more through 2021.
#FireAndAviationManagement, #Helicopter
Getting fire-ready
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest extends like a long finger down the Idaho-Wyoming state line with seven ranger districts scattered from the storied lawless zone the U.S. Constitution forgot near Yellowstone National Park, through the range of Liger Town, all the way down to the multistate lake with its own version of the Loch Ness Monster. More than 30 map-dot-sized communities lie within 50…