SOD has offered its services worldwide to fight forest and grass fires. This type of flying takes special skill and can sometimes be the only means of fighting a fire in remote areas.
For current operations, check here.
Introduction
The use of aircraft to drop fire retardant, foam, or water to suppress wildfires
is an essential wildland firefighting tool. The speed, mobility and retardant
delivery capability of aerial firefighting aircraft make them very effective
resources in support of firefighters on the ground. The variety of aircraft
available within Cardinal and SOD aviation assets provides an appropriate
firefighting capability for nearly every wildland fire situation, from
wilderness to the urban interface. Some
of the benefits of using aircraft are:
1) Aircraft can apply retardant solution early thus slowing the fire spread and
allowing more time for ground crews to reach the fire scene;
2) Aerial applicators can knock down hot spots to enable firefighters to get
closer to the fire and make time on the fire line;
3) Aircraft can apply solution in front of or on the head of the fire without
endangering firefighters and equipment;
4) Aircraft can apply solution as a barrier from which to backfire or to hold
the backfire while allowing the fire to burn out;
5) Aerial applicators can see and extinguish spot fires;
6) Aerial applicators can apply a fire retardant barrier around high value areas
such as hay yards or improvements in the path of the fire.
Helicopters are also used to fight fires. Normally helicopters carry a bucket of around 100-200 gallons of water (type dependant). They are excellent for spot applications and in very hard to get to locations like steep hillsides in a narrow valley. Depending upon the location of a water source, they also offer a rapid turn around.
Often overlooked in forest firefighting operations are the Lead Plane aircraft. They are called that because they act as the spotter, and lead water bombers safely into the bombing pattern.
No specific make or model of plane
exists that could be called the definitive Lead Plane aircraft; a large variety
are flown by spotters around the world.
What all have in common is the task. On a fire call, the Lead Plane is
airborne within minutes and sets up contact with the ground-based fire boss and
determines the fire location, size and nature. Once the site has been assessed
by the spotter, he radios back the information to the fire boss who directs the
entire land and air firefighting operation. While enroute to the fire, the water
bomber or tanker receives instructions from the Lead Plane as to circuit
altitude, drop height, and exit plan. The Lead Plane leads each loaded water
bomber directly over the fire site for its drop and may continue for as many
drops as it takes to quench the flames.
A second means of aerial fire fighting is the use of Smokejumpers. Smokejumpers are wildland firefighters trained to parachute into fires. Their primary mission is fire suppression and with the speed, range, and capacity of their fixed-wing aircraft, smokejumpers are capable of quickly delivering as few as two or as many as 20 firefighters, with equipment and supplies, directly to the fire in a single trip. As primary firefighters, smokejumpers may travel to fire by parachute, helicopter, vehicles, by foot, or whatever mode of transportation is most efficient. Smokejumpers are a versatile national resource and are commonly used in small teams and as 20-person fire crews. Their high level of training, experience, and qualifications enable smokejumpers to provide leadership such as Type III Incident Commanders, Division Supervisors, Strike Team Leaders, and Air Tactical Group Supervisors on fire assignments and fire teams. Smokejumpers are also called upon to provide rescue and first-aid services on fires and other emergencies in rugged and remote locations.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS
Flight Operations will be conducted in the following manner:
Airtanker Drops
1) All flights will maintain a minimum of 1,000 clearance from all ridges and mountain tops except for drop runs.
2) Retardant drops will be conducted at 150 ft AGL for heavy aircraft and 50 ft for twin engine aircraft (terrain dependant).
3) All flights will maintain contact with the Fire Control Center or Observer aircraft (read mission orders for specifics).
4) Fire drops will be to the immediate front of the fire, not on the fire itself unless otherwise specified.
5) Helicopters are exempt from all above rules. Pilots will maintain an altitude that will allow a safe bucket cut away and emergency landing.
Personnel and Equipment Drops
1) Personnel drops will be conducted at an altitude of 1,500ft AGL (above ground latitude).
2) Equipment drops will be conducted at an altitude of 300ft AGL.
3) Drops locations will be marked in the normal SOD method (see training handbook) if possible. Otherwise, the mission order will state the geographic location, features to identify it, and heading.
LINKS
United States Forest Service Flight Operations Handbook - Info on USFS aerial operations.
United States Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management Page - Info, news and report on past and present operations. Has links to current forest fires in the US.
Associated Airtanker Pilots Page - An association of airtanker pilots in the US. Good info.
Canadian Forest Service - Home site. Look for the link showing current forest fires.