2025 Wildfire Season

[foresterab]

Chopper crunch... no serious casualties, thankfully

No fatalities after 'forced landing' of BC Wildfire Service helicopter near new wildfire south of Pemberton

Authorities are asking residents to stay away from the Airport Road area to keep it clear for first responders.

www.piquenewsmagazine.com

Found out about this one post deployment. Glad to hear no fatalities...hope the injuries - both physical and mental - are light.

Been head down focused on different fires and while it's rare to happen...it does happen. Thankfully both increased aircraft performance (Eurocopter AS-350 B3's are so much nicer than Bell 206's) and more attention to pilot training has hopefully reduced risks. Initial attack is always tricky as you're trying to land in area pre-pad construction.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

"Here's hoping the fire won't result in more flood washouts like 2021...

The initial decision to go modified response seemed goofy to me.

 

[Cloud Cover]

The initial decision to go modified response seemed goofy to me.

“ What BCWS doing”…

 

[foresterab]

“ What BCWS doing”…

The initial decision to go modified response seemed goofy to me.

I haven't had to fight fire in that particular area...so not going to armchair guess exact rationale. I have been on other fires in BC where the slope and unstable rock made it too dangerous to put men on the line in that particular area so could be a reason. Mountain fires are so completely different from boreal forest fires a person has to re-evaluate a lot of tactics...just the slope and topographic influences on winds create big differences. Nice thing about fighting fires in Canada...people take priorities over trees.

Ideally they get some nice gentle soaker rains but no downpours that would lead to floods. Just know BC Wildfire is running flat out (which is not unusual for them this time of year) and hoping it's a safe tail end of season for their staff.

 

[Cloud Cover]

Over by my place. They’ve pulled the choppers back. Bombers going in 6 at a time. Big Con Air jet flying around too.

 

[Cloud Cover]

I haven't had to fight fire in that particular area...so not going to armchair guess exact rationale. I have been on other fires in BC where the slope and unstable rock made it too dangerous to put men on the line in that particular area so could be a reason. Mountain fires are so completely different from boreal forest fires a person has to re-evaluate a lot of tactics...just the slope and topographic influences on winds create big differences. Nice thing about fighting fires in Canada...people take priorities over trees.

Ideally they get some nice gentle soaker rains but no downpours that would lead to floods. Just know BC Wildfire is running flat out (which is not unusual for them this time of year) and hoping it's a safe tail end of season for their staff.

It’s almost vertical there, as I understand it.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Over by my place. They’ve pulled the choppers back. Bombers going in 6 at a time. Big Con Air jet flying around too.

That the fire by Lavington?

 

[Cloud Cover]

Yep. Out by the carrot farms. Probably rabbits running around trying help.

 

[ArmyRick]

Mountain fires are so completely different from boreal forest fires a person has to re-evaluate a lot of tactics...just the slope and topographic influences on winds create big differences

Strictly curious and slightly off topic, are you familiar with the Yarnell Hill fire that wiped out the Granite Mountain Hot Shots? If so, would that have been considered a mountain fire?

 

[OldSolduer]

Yep. Out by the carrot farms. Probably rabbits running around trying help.

Be vewy vewy quiet.....

 

[foresterab]

Strictly curious and slightly off topic, are you familiar with the Yarnell Hill fire that wiped out the Granite Mountain Hot Shots? If so, would that have been considered a mountain fire?

Only in abstract. Definitely mountain terrain...

Low visibility on total fire = low situational awareness
Light flashy fuels prone to rapid spreads
uphill conditions (fire heading up slope goes much more rapidly than flat ground)
limited escape route
and a wind shift...

I will note that working on a slope, in light fuels, with a wind shift is a very common set of conditions related to wildland injuries and fatalities. Many of these are conditions that require extra caution and it's why spring grass fires scare me more than summer major crown fires...grass fires go from boot high to 10' flames very quick...a crown fire takes time and you can get out.

I've been down to the SW states a few times on personal business...and every time thought how lucky I am I don't have to fight fire there.

 

[foresterab]

Over by my place. They’ve pulled the choppers back. Bombers going in 6 at a time. Big Con Air jet flying around too.

Pretty standard airspace management. When bombers go in the helicopters are either altitude restricted or more commonly moved out of the area so the attack run for each bomber can be set up. When the bombers go for reloads the helicopters come back in. Big part of the air attack officers job is managing the number of aircraft in the air and ensuring everyone has safe positioning.

Helicopters can land, move out of the area, or sometimes orbit high....either way it's clear the way for the fixed wing guys.