Summer is here and all of my fellow fire pilots are chomping at the bit to go on duty. Hopefully, by the time you read this many of you are already there. The National Interagency Fire Center recently issued their forecast for May thru August.
Most of the country will be in the normal fire activity range with the normal hot and cold spots. Arizona is usually where it all starts and that state is forecast to be very active for four to six weeks in June and July. Winter rains there have led to an abundance of fine fuels. The Great Basin region is forecast to be slower than normal.
Drought conditions there have resulted in a lack of fine fuels. Forecasts are good, but the end result is always in the hands of Mother Nature. The timber fertilizing industry seems to be slowly returning to normal after a two-year slump due to high prices. I have many friends that earn much of their living over the trees. I’m looking for the trend to continue and there will be plenty of work for everyone.
Air Tractor continues with the certification process on the AT-1002. The work is slow as is with any new design, but it is moving forward at a steady pace. I was at the factory in Olney, Texas recently and had the opportunity to really examine the ship. From a distance, it is hard to tell it is not an AT-802, but the closer you get the bigger it grows. The tires are the same size as on a Douglas DC-3 and nearly stand as tall as my waist. Can’t wait to see her over a fire.
We recently lost a fellow SEAT pilot in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Ron Clowes was killed when the TBM Avenger he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff on a planned training mission April 23rd. Ron had over 13,000 hours of flight time and ten years experience in aerial firefighting.
He was working for Forest Protection, LTD., that at one time was the largest operator of TBMs in the world, second to the US Navy. At present they still operate three of the WWII era torpedo bombers. AirFire&Forestry offers our sincere condolences to family and coworkers.
The latest recession and resulting sinking economy has in one way or another affected all of us. The results are that many state and federal agencies have received considerable budget constraints. One of the cuts is in wildfire prevention. This could forego the pre-positioning of resources such as engine crews, bulldozers and SEATs.
Alabama recently announced the permanent layoff of one-third of its wildland firefighters. I see more good pilots quitting the fire program and seeking other lines of work to make a decent living. The expertise of today’s fire pilots is invaluable, as well as for future generations. It would be a shame to lose them. I hope everyone has a safe and profitable fire season and that I’ll to see you in the mountains one day.
