How's things out east? Busy in BC, AB, Yukon and Alaska so far with most groups over 50hrs and some over 100. Is the fire season looking better Manitoba east than last year?

FF

Well, here in Manitoba, it's pretty sloooow. (And not just the regular garden variety Manitoba slow!) 35 hours including spring training this year so far - two fires, one in early May and one about a week ago. One of my coworkers mentioned today that he hadn't fired a shot in anger yet this year...

"Give me a 'C', give me an 'I', give me an 'F', give me another 'F', give me another 'C'.........what do you get? Some rather boring stats!" (look on the SitRep. Pretty sad)

Activity has picked up a bit from spring but still pretty slow. One fire about 1500 hectares that they have been milking and playing with northeast of Red Lake that has been getting us some flying time. Of course all sustained attack supporting the drip torch crew, so we are all real excited about that!! At least H-1 still had a smile on his face this morning or was that a symbol of a dollar sign!!!!

Drop those LOADS!!

NWT is also very wet , two fires so far ....and a dismissal notice!!!! talk about a bad summer

OUCH

Pretty quiet south of the border, too.

In Southern BC we were doing smoke patrols in early June and found a few fires. Rain shut everything down again but the bush is still pretty dry and we are half a week into nothing but sun--and nothing but sun in the forecast for the next week.

I expect smoke patrols starting before the end of the week and probably a pretty good start to the season.


Fly safe!

All the tankers & their crews have gone home around Buffalo Narrows, sk. I fly the otter, and move ground crews around, but the last crew came out of the bush soaking wet about 10 days ago. It's real wet here and has been raining almost every day.

I was in Gander 2 days ago and they're pretty slow there too.

NW Ontario must be a dead. Any updates up that way? Hasn't been crazy in quite awhile.

60 mils of rain for some parts of Manitoba tonight/tomorrow - that should wash us out for another week or two, and then it's almost August, and cooler nights with dew.... Will I break 50 hours this season?

Finally had a fire here in Oregon but it's pretty much done now. 4 tankers sitting here with nothing to do..

Changes in Latitudes wrote:NW Ontario must be a dead. Any updates up that way? Hasn't been crazy in quite awhile.

What is a "cheese doodle"?

Sitting in Geraldton right now waiting for the rains to arrive. Forecasting 10 to 15mm of rain across Northwestern Ontario the next couple of days. Looks like another season is pretty much done!! Broke 30 hours already for the season so that is enough for this year!!!

BC has had it's first day of rain this season. Back up to 25-32 degrees for the most part. Alberta has had extensive rain the last few days but this too shall pass. Yukon still warm and dry and Alaska is....Alaska. Maybe we will see some "easterners" out west this year for a month or two.

FF

Maybe we will see some "easterners" out west this year for a month or two.

Well, we fly pistons, so BC is out for us; however I'm torn between wanting to fly and trying to minimise my hours so as to maximise the pay per flight hour!

I tell everyone (especially my boss) it is hard work to hardly work

Went to a cottage fire near Parry Sound yesterday. We got there just in time to save the foundations. Poor camp owner lost his garage, bunky and main cabin.

The Mars is heading south, looks like they might get to have some fun in California, yet!

I was on a fire back in mid-May...and that has been it so far. I second the notion that it's harder doing nothing.

Northern Sask is soaking wet right now, high water and lots of rain. There was one tiny little fire this week, nothing much else.

It's been warm here lately. (Buffalo Narrows). The ground is drying up despite occasional rain. I just heard a huge crack of lightning Let's keep our fingers crossed!

According to the forecasters in BC the fit hits the shan thursday and friday. After no rain and steady mid thirties they are set to see dry lightning. GAME ON!!!

You slow guys just need to go set some fires!!

Seriously tho, I wonder if any fire pilots have ever? Do police ever investigate pilots for fires?