Fire bombers deployed early

[fall]

Thanks, interesting info. It is BC though, I was wondering about fires in BC compared to other provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan over the past few years.

[Glacier]

Here you go...

(You will have to click to see legend)

[fall]

Here is one from last summer. I could not find one comparing other provinces.

[fall]

Thanks, more up to date. I can honestly say I had no idea Saskatchewan had that many fires.

[the truth]

Looks like we are in for another scary fire season. Meanwhile the local dollar stores are selling flying fire candles for under Two dollars. Is that stupid or what?

any stores selling these should be closed forever

[bob vernon]

Water bombers.
Air tankers.
Scoopers.
Skimmers.

Fire bombers?

[LTD]

its probably not politicly correct to use the term bomber air tanker sounds much less violent

[Glacier]

In politically correct Saskatchewan they just call them bunny hugs. Sounds a lot nicer.

[Drip_Torch]

Airtankers, waterbombers… you guys call ‘em what you want.

At my table they are known as “aterbombersway” – sure, it’s a little harder to pronounce, but it doesn’t get the kids excited. I try not to get the kids excited… it’s just easier that way.

[spokenut]

Water bombers.
Air tankers.
Scoopers.
Skimmers.

Fire bombers?

I don't know what one would call this, but it looks like a "Firebomber" to me.

[trapp]

Flying drip torch. I was very involved with the very first flying drip torch. Developed in Williams Lake by Okanagan Helicopter and our Ranger Station for primary use at Horsefly for slash burning and burn off on wild fires. Early 1970's. The new ones are far more sophisticated. The first one was ignited from a switch that activated a spark plug to spark.

First flying drip torch.



Used for slash burning:





In that same era there was a machine that dispersed ping pong balls. They had a chemical inside of them and when punctured by the machine they were spit out of a spigot fully ignited. It sat in the back seat of the helicopter with a control technician. The pilots were not fond of it as they did not like the idea for a flaming ping pong ball that could possibly not be properly propelled out of the aircraft.

[Drip_Torch]

In that same era there was a machine that dispersed ping pong balls. They had a chemical inside of them and when punctured by the machine they were spit out of a spigot fully ignited. It sat in the back seat of the helicopter with a control technician. The pilots were not fond of it as they did not like the idea for a flaming ping pong ball that could possibly not be properly propelled out of the aircraft.

Yeah, I briefly caught one of those new generation whatchamacallits while I was out and about last year. (and, then I stopped at Starbucks on the way back to the office.)

[spokenut]

Ok, ok....this thread has been fun, but let's get back to the OP. Can anybody out there tell me why not using the Mars In BC is a good idea. Having seen it work numerous times, it does one heck of a job at "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff." No other aterbomersway even comes close. Knowing that we have the best resources in the world would certainly help me sleep better this fire season.

[Boda]

Ok, ok....this thread has been fun, but let's get back to the OP. Can anybody out there tell me why not using the Mars In BC is a good idea. Having seen it work numerous times, it does one heck of a job at "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff." No other aterbomersway even comes close. Knowing that we have the best resources in the world would certainly help me sleep better this fire season.

It's my understanding that smaller planes are statistically more efficient for fighting fires in BC.
I read somewhere that the smaller planes can service a much larger area with quicker turn around times because they can utilize smaller lakes closer to the fires where as the Martin needs big water to scoop a belly full.

[Woodenhead]

I was wondering how long it would take for the Mars to show up in this year's Fire Watch sub-forum. Never fails.