Wildland Firefighting in the USA
Travelling through the Western States of the USA - Informations and Thanks
Picture Archive 1
 

Picture Archive 2 Meeting Friends: Memories, Operations and Pictures

Picture Archive 3 Pictures of Airtankern, Helicopters and Wildland Fire Appartus

Picture Archive 4 Special Publications about "Wildland Firefighting" in the USA

Special Pages "Forest Fire" Forest- and Wildland Firefighting in Germany and Europe

Current Wildfire Situation in the Western States of the USA The FirePublications/Feuerwehrpresse Wolfgang Jendsch is always in contact with US forest and fire agencies, fire departments and fire managers within the scope of their topic "Wildland Firefighting" during the anual fire season to get current informations and datas for the documentation of the wildfire situation in the western US states. In this context below we make a list of all forest- and wildfires in the western US states available, which are more than 1000 acres in size.

Crash of Airtanker 26
Lassen National Forest, Ishi Wilderness, California/USA
 

. . Airtanker 26, a four-engine turbine aircraft type Lockheed P-3B Orion (1966) from "Aero Union", here on Redding Air Attack Base. I got the chance to take pictures of the airtanker in June 1999. T-26 Airtanker Crash Once again now I got the information about the crash of an airtanker, now in the Lassen National Forest (North-California). This is - after T-130 and T-99 - the third airtanker, to whom I had a special relationship during my job in the USA and who crashed later on during an official mission in wildland firefighting. Several years ago I got the chance to take pictures of T-26 at the Redding Airtanker Base in California. The airtanker was on a training flight from Chico Air Attack Base into the Brushy Mountain Area of the Ishi Wilderness, Tehama County/California on Wednesday, April 21, 2005, near 7 p.m. The cause of the crash is unknown so far. The "National Transportation Safety Board" (NTSB) of the USA has started their investigations. The three crew members, chief pilot Tom Lynch, Paul Cockrell and Brian Bruns, lost their lifes on the line of duty. This time again I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the families of the tanker 26 crew, as well as to all their friends and colleagues. Take care! Wolfgang Jendsch, former Information Officer (PIO) Radolfzell Fire Department, Germany

Crash of Airtanker 99
San Bernhardino National Forest, California/USA
 

. . The T-99, a twin-engine P2-V, on Cedar City Airtanker Base (picture left). The chance to take a short trip with airtanker 99 on the pilots seat (picture right). T-99 Airtanker Crash I am very sad to hear about the crash of Airtanker 99 in the San Bernardino National Forest, California, when it was on its flight back from firefighting in Arizona. Both people aboard were killed. I met T-99 and its crew two years ago at Cedar City Airtanker Base, Utah, during a visit to take pictures for several publications. So I got the great chance to speak with the crew, to get a lot of technical informations and to take a short trip with the tanker on the base area. Now it is the second crash of an airtanker I visited - see the T-130 crash below also - and it is a bad feeling. I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the families of the tanker 99 crew, as well as to all friends of the dead pilots. My thoughts are with you - take care! Wolfgang Jendsch, former Information Officer (PIO) Radolfzell Fire Department, Germany

Crash of Airtanker 130
"Cannon Fire", Walker/California, USA
 

. . Craig LaBare (+), First Officer of the C-130 Airtanker Crew (3.f.r.) C-130 Airtanker Crash I met the T-130 crew on July 6, 2001, on the Libby Airtanker Base at Fort Huachuca/AZ. Craig LaBare was the first officer together with pilot HF "Buzz" Schaffer and flight engineer Tony Griffin. The crew gave me a lot of informations on their Lockheed C-130A, and it was a great feeling for me to have a seat in the cockpit. Now I heard about the T-130 crash. I am shocked and very sad about that incident and about the death of Craig LaBare and his comrades Mike Davies and Steve Wass. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to all the families, friends and co-workers of the crew on T-130. My thoughts are with you. Wolfgang Jendsch, Information Officer (PIO) International Lake Constance Fire Association (BFB) Radolfzell Fire Department, Germany

  "Das Ende der Heavy Airtanker" (The End of the Heavy Airtankers) - Decision of the U.S. Forest Service to ground Type-I/II-Airtankers
Unit special report (only in German language!) about the grounding of the American "Heavy/Large Airtankers" (type I and II) in May 2004. The report describes the reasons for the decision of the U.S. Forest Service and the DOI-organizations, the following discussion and the development of the aerial firefighting further on as well.
Further informations on request:info@feuerwehrpresse.de
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Wildland Firefighting in the USA on German Television - "Feuersturm" (Fire Storm)
Interview with Wolfgang Jendsch about the Crash of Airtankers 130
The crash of airtankers 130 (see above) during battling the Cannon Fire near Walker/California the television station PRO 7 from Munich took occasion to report about wildland firefighting in the USA.
During an eight hours television shooting in July 2002 in Radolfzell (Lake Constance, Germany) Wolfgang Jendsch informed the team of Vocus TV about the US wildland firefighting methods, about the firefighting equipment as well as about the different dangers during fighting wildfires. Special TV shootings with Wolfgang were done under the topic "protection clothing of the wildland firefighters" as well as under the topic "fire shelter".

Screeneshots from "Focus TV":
TV Transmission "Feuersturm" on "Vocus TV" (PRO 7)

During an "expert"-interview Wolfgang Jendsch, who informed himself and learned about operations of ground crews, airtanker- and helicopter crews as well as about smokejumpers and hotshots in the USA during the last years, was asked about possible causes of the "T-130"-crash. With original TV shots - seen on a television set behind - and with his own pictures from a visit of the Libby Airtanker Base in Fort Huachuca/Arizona Wolfgang described detailed what happened before and during the crash.
The TV transmission was published some weeks later in German television "Focus TV" (PRO 7; see screene shots).

Screeneshots from "Focus TV":
"Wildland firefighting expert" Wolfgang Jendsch during the TV interview in "Vocus TV". Among others he commented the orginal TV shots of the T-130 crash (picture left).
Picture right: Airtanker 130 dropped his retardent on the fire area near Walker/California.

Screeneshots from "Focus TV":
After the retardent drop both wings of the T-130 folded upwards (picture left),
then the wings seperated and the airtanker got out of control (picture middle),
after that the airtanker crashed down in a steep turn near highway 395 (picture right). The crew members died.

With a 16-pages report in the special fire book "BRAND - Die Feuerwehren der Welt" (2003; Weltrundschau Verlag, Baar/Switzerland) Wolfgang Jendsch soon reports about his visit on the Libby Airtanker Base in Fort Huachuca/Arizona, about his contacts with the T-130 crew and their airtanker, about the "Cannon Fire" operations in Walker/California as well about the tragic crash of airtanker 130.
 

Visit of several weeks at the "Florida Division of Forestry" canceled -
Current Security Position and the Reactions of Immigration Authorities are unacceptable!
Further Informations

Traveling
to Fire Departments and Fire Airbases in the Western States of the USA
A heartily "Thank you!"
Informations and learning about wildland firefighting in theory and practice, daylong operations on fire engines, helicopter and airtanker, concentrated technique and taktic of forest- and wildland firefighting in California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, a "portion US-military secrets", more than 110 degrees heat with bright sun, allover dust, a sand storm and even a (small) tornado - the last year's visiting- and information tours to wildland fire departments and agencies in the western US-states were information and adventure at the same time.

Operations with fire engines, paramedics and wildland firefighter fixted extensive the day course in California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona und New Mexico. For example:
Picture 1: Structure fire on the Meadows Field Airport Bakersfield, Kern County/California;
Picture 2: Car crash on a street crossing in Las Vegas/Nevada;
Picture 3: Grassfire after lightning strikes in New Mexico.
 

Picture 1: Timber and brush are burning - the "Democrate Fire" in the southern Sierra Nevada;
Picture 2: KCFD-helicopter 408 from Keene/California during filling his bucket with water;
Picture 3: BLM-helicopter 555 on his flight to the fire.
 

Content priority of the different several weeks on going trips during the last five years was technique and tactic of wildland firefighting from air (fire air attack). Destinations were especially fire airbases in the above named US-states, helitak bases as well as smokejumper operation bases.

Picture 1: "Air Attack", the main subject for me of the US-trip 2001. The picture shows the type-2 (ICS) airtanker 05 (P2V, Neptune Aviation);
Picture 2: Airtanker 05 pilot Tom Rader and co-pilot Kris McAleer on the Porterville Air Attack Base, California;
Picture 3: Airtanker Base Manager Bill Parks from the Libby Air Tanker Base, Fort Huachuca/Arizona. He gave me eager informations to all technical and tactical questions.
 

Picture 1: The crew of airtanker 130 on Libby Airtanker Base, Arizona: flight engineer Tony Griffin, pilot H.F. "Buzz" Schaffer,
first officer Craig LaBare (f.r.t.l.) and the loader crew with Rich Brown, Ed Smith and Martin Dayton (f.l.t.r.). See also: T-130 crash.
Picture 2: A "great feeling": Wolfgang Jendsch in the cockpit of a Lockheed C-130A, the biggest airtanker of the american air attack;
Picture 3: Alarm for smokejumpers on the Silver City Smokejumper Base, New Mexico.
 

Picture 1: With the helicopter 408 over the Lake Isabella between Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert;
Picture 2: The helitack crew from KCFD-helicopter 408, with them Wolfgang Jendsch (3. f.r.);
Picture 3: Helitack captain Kevin V. Loomis (right) with Wolfgang Jendsch on the Keene Helibase, California.
 

Picture 1: A better overview from the air - A flight over the "Manter Fire" in the Sequoia National Forest shows the evolution of the disastrous incident in summer 2000;
Picture 2: With the incident air commander on scene - A flight with the tactical air attack over the "Democrate Fire" (black areas in picture) was very interesting to learn about the job of an air supervisor.
 

The trips were documented with more than 10.000 colour slides, showing not alone the different fire equipment, their bases and operation areas with all the details, but also the people protecting and preserving environment, landscapes and properties with techniqual help and great engagement.

Picture 1: Practical training: For example a day on a fire lookout in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona;
Picture 2: Theoretical training: Weather forecasting for air attack pilots - but don't take it serious!
Picture 3: The "Weather Forcasting Stone".
 

Looking for technical specialities during the 2001 US-trip:
Picture 1: For example an old fire station near the mexican border, New Mexico;
Picture 2: A "Hummer" brush truck in the Navajo Indian Reservation, Ganado Fire Department, Arizona;
Picture 3: Rescue truck of the Papago Indian Reservation, Arizona.
 

A heartily "thank you" to all fire managers, pilots and firefighters for the allways friendly, dedicated and detailed support during all the trips as well as for the great hospitality. Persons below are acting named for all, who made the US-journeys so successful, exciting and pleasant:

• In front Battalion Chief Geoff Wilford from Kern County Fire Department (California), Planning Section Chief with the Interagency Management Incident Team #1 and out of the borders of California well known as a experienced wildland fire manager, who took trouble in a special way for support in all questions and requests. Geoff became a good friend and comrade in the meantime;

• Forest Aviation Officer Jim Boukidis, Fresno Air Attack Base (USFS/CDF), Kalifornien;
• Pilot Pat Leroux und Crew, Airtanker 64, Fresno/Kalifornien;
• Base Manager Ed Ish, Porterville Airtanker Base, Kalifornien;
• Fire Management Staff Officer Gary V. Benavidez, Gila Natonal Forest (USFS), New Mexico;
• Apache Hotshot Crew Members Dave D. Massey sr. und Elmer Cosni, Arizona;
• Fire Chief Daniel G. Clark, Kern County Fire Department (K.C.F.D.), Kalifornien;
• Deputy Chief LeCostel Hailey, Kern County Fire Department (K.C.F.D.), Kalifornien;
• Fire Manager Paul Rawdull und Tod Righards, Glenwood Ranger District, Colorado;
• Engine Forman Steve Palmer, Heber Ranger District (USFS), Arizona;
• Fire Chief Larry Tolth, Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Services, Arizona;
• Captain Don Frey, Engineer John McCornack und Firefighter Mike Walker, Boise Fire Department, Idaho;
• Fire Chief Jack McCuntock, Cal-Nev-Ari Fire Department, Nevada;
• Fire Chief Dewayne Quechitewa, Hopi Indian Fire Department (BIA), Keam Canyon, Arizona;
• Audio-/Visual Specialist Edwina Davis, Kern County Fire Department (K.C.F.D.), Kalifornien;
• Public Information Officer (PIO) Janelle Smith, NIFC, Idaho;
• Public Information Officer (PIO) Karen Terrill, CDF-Headquarter, Kalifornien;
• Fire Chief John Schlegel und Information Officer Steve Harr, City of Banks Fire Department, Oregon;
• Fire Investigator Bruce Moran, US-Airforce Base Indian Springs (A.F.B.), Nevada;

• Base Manager Dennis Gregorkiewicz and Base Manager Joe Lopour, Cedar City Airtanker und Smokejumper Base, Utah;
• Base Manager/COR Rance Irwin, Silver City Airtanker und Smokejumper Base (USFS), New Mexiko;
• Air Base Manager Patrick Basek und Forest Aviation Officer Jim Boukidis, Fresno Air Attack Base, Kalifornien;
• Information/Education Foreman Wayne Williams, USFS Smokejumper Base, Missoula/Montana;
• Pilot Tom Raider und Co-Pilot Kris McAleer, Airtanker 02, Silver City/Arizona;
• Captain Garrell Simmons, Higgins Fire Department, Kalifornen;
• Air Service Manager C.W. (Bill) Parks (+), Libby Air Tanker Base (USFS), Arizona;
• Pilot H.F. "Buzz" Schaffer, First Officer Craig LaBare (+) und Flight-Engineer Tony Griffin, Airtanker 130, Fort Huachuca/AZ;
• Fire Chief und Firefighters des Tohono O'Odham Nation F.D., Papago Indian Reservation, Arizona;
• Fire Chief Clinton Kessay jr., White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue, Arizona;
• Firefighters Michael Wolf und Albert Lementino, Zuni Indian Fire Department, New Mexico;
• Fire Manager Mike Smith, Nevada-Yuba-Placer Ranger Unit (CDF), Kalifornien;
• Battalion Chief Jim Stuller, Dobbins Fire Station (CDF), Kalifornien;
• Helicopter-Pilot und Firefighter Dagmar Kinne, City of Banks Fire Department, Oregon;
• Fire Management Officer Ed Wehking, BLM Bakersfield District, Kalifornien;
• Fire Chief Allen Clay, Firefighters Georg Danforth und Eric Tollund, Animas Fire Protection District, Colorado;
• Area Fire Management Officer Raymond F. Brown, Bishop Resource Area (BLM), Kalifornien;
• Fire Chief Agent George Justice, Vanderwagen Fire Department und McKinley County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico;
• EMS-Coordinator Lt. Robert Lopez und Engineer Richard A. Ray, Silver City Fire Department, New Mexico;
• Captain Kevin V. Loomis und Helitak-Crew, K.C.F.D. Helitak 408, Kalifornien;
• Air Attack Supervisor Fred Roach, Kern County Fire Department (K.C.F.D.) Air Attack, Kalifornien;
• Public Information Officer (PIO) Chuck Dickson, Kern County Fire Department (K.C.F.D.), Kalifornien;
• Fire-Heavy Equipment Manager Carl Luallin, BLM Bakersfield District Office, Kalifornien;
• Foreman Dwayne Mortenson und Helitak-Crew, BLM Helitak 555, Kalifornien;
• Division Chief Dan Kleinman, Sequoia National Forest (USFS), Kalifornien.

• Battalion Chief Joe Reinhardt, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State of Nevada;
• Assistant Conservation Camp Supervisor Jody Weintz, Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF), Nevada;
• Pilot Pat Leroux, Co-Pilot Jerome Laval und Flight-Engineer Mark Hughes, Airtanker 64, Fresno/Kalifornien;
• Senior Pilot V. Lee Benson, County of Los Angeles Fire Department (Air Operations), Kalifornien;
• Fire Engine Operator Richard Brown, Tule River Indian Reservation Fire Department, Kalifornien;
• Assistant Protection Unit Forester Greg Juber, Oregon Department of Forestry;
• District Fire Chief Ed Lewis, Firefighters Brian Rogers und Jeff Hohenthal, Spokane County Fire District 4, Washington;
• Training Coordinator und Firefighter/EMT Michael Heffner, Cornelius City Rural Fire Department, Oregon;
• Fire Captain Jim Krege, Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC), Kalifornien;
• Resource Coordinator Dixie Palmer, Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA), Oregon;
• Battalion Chief Robert A. Mills, Forest Grove Fire and Rescue, Oregon;
• Engine Captain Steven S. Elenburg, Olancha Fire Station (BLM), Kalifornien;
• President James J. Hill und Operation Chief Ed Waggoner, North Tree Fire (NTF) Monterey und Marysville, Kalifornien;
• Smokejumper Training Forman Everett K. Weniger, Smokejumper Unit (USFS, R-1) Missoula, Montana;
• Pilot Linda Scott, Lead Plane 430, Fresno/Kalifornien;
• Pilot Vito Orlandella, Airtanker 100, Fresno/Kalifornien;
• Fire Chief Roger Hansen, Grant County Fire District, Washington;
• Fire Management Officer Donald E. Tienhaara, Winnemucca District (BLM), Nevada;
• Fire Captain Bill Coughran, Engineer Jose Valdez und Firefighter Joe Sepulveda, South Lake Fire Station, Kalifornien;

There are really numerous memories of those and other meetings, mostly fixed with pictures, letters and documents. But beyond it there are a lot of nice guest presents with a lasting sentimental value - patches of fire departments, agencies and units for example - but also those not only in the USA desired t-shirts and baseball-caps.
Below some nice motives on american t-shirts, that make the "firefighters live" there a little bit colourful and happier:

Picture 1: Image cultivation t-shirt for members of the "International Association of Fire Fighters" (IAFF), USA;
Picture 2: T-shirt of "Porterville Air Attack" (CDF, USFS) with a graphic of Airtankers 01 and Leadplanes 410, stationed on Porterville Air Atack Base (California);
Picture 3: Official shirt of the Engine-Company 44 of the "Spokane County Fire District 4", Washington;
Picture 4: "Bear Power" - the "Cold Creek (Volunteer) Firefighters" from a village near Las Vegas/Nevada;

Picture 1: Inscription of a typical official sweatshirts of the "Animas Fire District" in Durango/Colorado;
Picture 2: T-shirt of the "Clark County Fire Department", responsible for the rural area around Las Vegas/Nevada;
Picture 3: Also the Airforce Fire Departments in the USA use the outfit of the city and county firefighters:
official shirt of the "Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field Fire Department" (AFAF) located inside "Nellis Air Force Bombing and Gunnery Range" northwest of Las Vegas/Nevada;
Picture 4: The Fire Departments Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson created a t-shirt with the inscription "Here's to us and those just like us". The frontsite shows the patches of the departments as well as of the IAFF;

Picture 1: T-shirt for members of the "Old Timer's Club" of the "California Departments of Forestry" (CDF);
Picture 2: T-shirt of the "Tri City Rural Fire Protection District" (City of Banks Fire Department with the fire stations Banks, Buxton and Timber) in Washington County near Portland/Oregon;
Picture 3: T-shirt of the "heavy wildland fire units" (Track Attack) of the "Los Angeles County Fire Department", California.
 

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