Aerial firefight

Cal Fire statistics statewide for 2017 show that by Aug. 23, there have been 4,398 fires that burned 223,526 acres. That’s 1,000 more fires and many more acres burned than all of 2016. Unfortunately, the worst may be ahead of us.

Californians recognized the need to fight fires from the air in the 1930s when crop dusters were filled with water and used to help firefighters on the ground. Today, Cal Fire has 13 air attack and nine helitack bases statewide, allowing aircraft to reach most fires within 20 minutes. The agency’s goal is to keep 95 percent of the state’s wildland fires to 10 acres or fewer. That’s a lofty goal in a state that spans 163,696 square miles, but aircraft are the most effective way to reach remote areas quickly. This year, there have been 34 fires that were at least 300 acres.

You can see Cal Fire’s online mapping here.

The worst might be yet to come this fall when a combination of dead trees, dried underbrush and lightning will occur in the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana wind conditions develop in Southern California.

Dousing the flames

The map below gives and indication of where aerial firefighting was needed most in California.

Gallons of fire retardant used in National Forest land in 2016.

The retardant used to slow the spread of a fire is a slurry mix consisting of a chemical salt compound, water, clay or a gum-thickening agent, and a coloring agent. At 9 pounds per gallon, an S-2T can carry 10,800 pounds.

State totals

Total wildfires by year for all jurisdictions. Fires are at least 300 acres.

The Boeing 747-400 Global Supertanker can drop 19,200 gallons. It might be coming to California but has not been approved. On a contract basis, the state has used a DC-10 aircraft, which can drop 12,000 gallons.

In 2006, the DC-10 cost $26,500 per hour with a three-hour minimum per day. The airplane can drop a 50-foot-wide layer of fire retardant that is three-quarters of a mile long.

Here’s a video from the History Channel about the DC-10 based in Victorville.

Helicopters

State, county and city fire departments have many types of helicopters to use for a fast initial attack.

Helicopters can carry a crew, do medical evacuations and carry about 320 gallons of water by bucket or a fixed tank which can be refilled in about a minute.

Take a look at local fire departments fighting fires with helicopters in the video below.

Airtanker

Cal Fire has 22 S-2T airtankers that can travel 270 mph and carry 1,200 gallons.

A Cal Fire superscooper makes a perfect landing on Lake Isabella to refill the water tanks and get back to the fire.

High-tech view

It is illegal for civilians to fly drones near any fire. Fire control stations manage aircraft of all types, and if a civilian interferes by flying a drone, legal action can be taken.

Some agencies are using drones similar to the one pictured above to help firefighters on the ground. The drones can survey fire areas with thermal imaging, and data can help to determine how big the fires are, how fast they are moving and how much fuel they have to burn.

Infra-red imaging used for ultra fast fire attack.

Prevention tips:

Don’t mow dry grass on windy days

Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass

Target shoot only in approved areas

Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely

Check for the Santa Ana winds threat index in your area here.

Sources: Cal Fire, Craig Covey of the Orange County Fire Authority, U.S. Forest Service, Fire Aviation