International Wildfires

[JagXKR]

Yes, they are going into Washington State.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/FGD ... 0018Z/CYYF

[ferri]

Yes! Between Tonasket and Omak:

[DebSS]

PM'd BC Wildfire and they extended the contract to Sept 13 the 3 Conair planes. Sure is a need when you see Washington request help. I have been on the Okanogan Fire site all afternoon watching the Crumbach fire. Holding at 100 acres. Keeping track of the planes flying over head and listening to their scanner requesting help from us. 25 years isn't a lot to me for a plane. This is a prime example of getting rid of something that is still useable. With the fire down on Steven's Pass and standing at 2000 acres, they needed the help today for the fire closer to Tonasket. Glad our planes could help.

[Catsumi]

PM'd BC Wildfire and they extended the contract to Sept 13 the 3 Conair planes. Sure is a need when you see Washington request help. I have been on the Okanogan Fire site all afternoon watching the Crumbach fire. Holding at 100 acres. Keeping track of the planes flying over head and listening to their scanner requesting help from us. 25 years isn't a lot to me for a plane. This is a prime example of getting rid of something that is still useable. With the fire down on Steven's Pass and standing at 2000 acres, they needed the help today for the fire closer to Tonasket. Glad our planes could help.

[JagXKR]

25 years isn't a lot to me for a plane. This is a prime example of getting rid of something that is still useable.

Huh? The planes are way way older than 25 years. The 3 were built as follows
444 - 1954 (68 years old)
449 - 1957 (65 years old)
455 - 1955 (67 years old)
Interesting their combined age is 200.
Finding parts for these antiques is very hard. Conair will have a large fleet of Q400's ready for next year. Much better plane.
As for the date they were to leave and the extension, BCWS needs to give Conair a contract for their service with a date when the service is to cease. The extension is being used due to the current situation and may be extended again.

[JagXKR]

The 3 Convairs left today. Q400's next year.
455 did a pass over the runway on the way out and dropped water.
Here's the flight track
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/FGD ... /CYYF/CYXX

[captkirkcanada]

25 years isn't a lot to me for a plane. This is a prime example of getting rid of something that is still useable.

Huh? The planes are way way older than 25 years. The 3 were built as follows
444 - 1954 (68 years old)
449 - 1957 (65 years old)
455 - 1955 (67 years old)
Interesting their combined age is 200.
Finding parts for these antiques is very hard. Conair will have a large fleet of Q400's ready for next year. Much better plane.
As for the date they were to leave and the extension, BCWS needs to give Conair a contract for their service with a date when the service is to cease. The extension is being used due to the current situation and may be extended again.

Well they def put in some service . Time for retire

[ferri]

I thought this was a really nice post on facebook:

Bill Kresge>Osoyoos Oliver South Okanagan Fire Watch


Hi, I'm with the Tonasket Fire Department down here in the States. We were first responders on the Crumbacher Fire Saturday and were very grateful for the aid we received from the Penticton Air Tanker Base that day.
We watched as the three Conair Convair bombers dropped their loads in our vicinity and a couple of guys commented on how old those planes were and what a great job they had always done. We didn't know it at the time but apparently we had the honor of being present for their last firefighting flights. Then to find out that one of the pilots, Grahame Wilson, was retiring after this fire with over 40 years of service with Conair, well that's kind of a big deal.
We'd like to get something to them to thank them for their years of service and to wish Mr. Wilson a happy retirement. I've been trying to get an address that would make sure what we send gets to the right people at the right place but getting that information from your government has been about as frustrating as getting information from my own. If any of you might have that information I'd appreciate your sharing it with me. Thanks.

[Babba_not_Gump]

Neighbours helping neighbors.

[Catsumi]

I thought this was a really nice post on facebook:

Bill Kresge>Osoyoos Oliver South Okanagan Fire Watch


Hi, I'm with the Tonasket Fire Department down here in the States. We were first responders on the Crumbacher Fire Saturday and were very grateful for the aid we received from the Penticton Air Tanker Base that day.
We watched as the three Conair Convair bombers dropped their loads in our vicinity and a couple of guys commented on how old those planes were and what a great job they had always done. We didn't know it at the time but apparently we had the honor of being present for their last firefighting flights. Then to find out that one of the pilots, Grahame Wilson, was retiring after this fire with over 40 years of service with Conair, well that's kind of a big deal.
We'd like to get something to them to thank them for their years of service and to wish Mr. Wilson a happy retirement. I've been trying to get an address that would make sure what we send gets to the right people at the right place but getting that information from your government has been about as frustrating as getting information from my own. If any of you might have that information I'd appreciate your sharing it with me. Thanks.

For sure this was a nice thank you. And so polite, too.