Fighting blazes from the air sometimes needed
OHIOPYLE - It's wildfire season. And one of the most important pieces of equipment used to fight wildfires is the helicopter.
Air Operations 2003 pre-operations briefing was held Monday by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry.
The briefing is for workers who don't know how to work around a helicopter in a wildfire situation. And it's the not knowing that is dangerous, said Leland Jordan, forest specialist supervisor for the bureau.
In fighting wildfires, the bureau, along with volunteer firefighters and fire wardens, rely on a number of tools and equipment. The most impressive support comes from the sky.
The detection and recon planes are the first defenses for extinguishing wildfires. They are also used for insect and disease extermination and for storm damage.
There are many lookout towers throughout the state which are manned mainly when the weather conditions are right for fires to occur.
The recon planes are used to look for smoke and to determine if the smoke is from a wildfire.
Airtankers are larger planes with an internal tank for dropping fire retardant or water on a fire.
The two types of airtankers used with fighting fires include the Dromader air craft, which holds 500 gallons of liquid and makes a single drop on a wildfire.
The second airtanker is the Air Tractor 802 with a 800-gallon payload capable of making multiple drops or sprays and a computer-driven drop gate that makes a more accurate drop.
When fighting a fire, the airtankers would first make several dry passes over the burning area.
A dry pass is used to give the pilot the opportunity to become familiar with the plane's approach and departure from the area. It also confirms the target and is used to warn the ground crew below there will be a drop on the way.
The third source of air support comes from helitankers, which is what's primarily used at the Bureau of Forestry's District Four at Ohiopyle.
Helitankers are helicopters with an internal tank used to dump water or fire retardants. They are used for inclosed firefighting.
The helitanker at District Four is referred doesn't have an internal tank. It has a bambi bucket attached to it.
The bambi bucket holds 110 gallons of water - no chemicals.
Edward Callahan, the bureau's district forester, said the pilot can dip the bambi bucket into any stream, lake or even swimming pool if needed.
The helitanker can change speeds and maneuver differently than airtankers.
Fire officials said when fighting wildfires, a good plan is needed by the crew so as not to waste time or resources.
Air support should know where the anchor points are, which could be the fire's baseline or parts of the fire that have been under control.
During a fire fight, communication is needed between all the entities fighting the blaze.
Ground crews have a completely different view of the fire than the recon plane operators. A ground crew could use information from the plane operators to guide the pilot to dump or spray in the right area.
While aire support is dumping or spraying, the ground crew has to be ready to follow instructions when there's a water drop.
The ground crew uses the airtanker's first dry pass as an indication to get out of the drop area. While a drop is taking place, the crew is to look out for limbs and rocks as water falls at 100 miles per hour and is hitting against trees and parts of the mountain.
If a ground crew member misses the dry pass and is caught in a drop, they're instructed to lay face down, have their hard hats towards the direction of the plane and have a firm hold of their tools while the water or chemicals are falling and rushing around them.
If the plane's dry pass shows to be off target, the ground crew can redirect the air support.
For 35 days, District Four rents the helitanker for its spring fire season, which begins the first week of April and runs until the first or second week of May.
To prevent wildfires, Jordan said residents shouldn't burn in hot, low humidity and windy weather.
If a fire gets out of control, the individual starting the fire would be instructed to pay all the fees for extinguishing the blaze which includes $12 a minute for helitanker and several hundred dollars an hour if a bulldozer is needed.
Jordan said if a fire is purposely started, the punishment is a third-degree felony with three years in prison. There is also a fine of $1,000.
"We're very aggressive on it," said Jordan.
In Pennsylvania, there is an average of 1,200 wildfires a year with 5,000 acres destroyed at a cost of $500,000 to the state.
Thirty-five percent of wildfires are caused by reburns (fires that are out, but later rekindle), 35 percent are caused by arson and 30 percent are from campfires, lightening and other accidents.
