Resource Advisor Training Aircraft and Related Issues - PowerPoint Presentation

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Resource Advisor Training Aircraft and Related IssuesSlide2

Tools Used for Delivery

There are numerous platforms utilized to deliver suppressant and retardant to a fire area. Each has its own unique abilities and functions Within the fire arena. Slide3

Fixed Wing

Large Air TankerSlide4

BAE146Slide5

Single Engine Air Tankers SEATSSlide6

VLAT DC-10 10,000 gallonsSlide7

ScoopersCL-415Slide8

Martin MarsSlide9

Rotor Wing TankedSlide10

Rotor Wing BucketSlide11

Material Delivered

During fire operations aircraft deliver a number of materials to assist in fire suppression . Primarily there are four being used today they are:

Retardant

Water

Foam

GelSlide12

Retardant

Used to treat fuels ahead of the fire is rarely dropped directly on the fire

Is to be kept 300 ft. from open waterways

Retardant avoidance areas are specific to Forest Service only

Chemical makeup varies by product and manufacturerSlide13

Water

Issues include:

Introduction and spread of introduced and harmful species into streams and lakes

Hazmat associated with mechanized equipment

Private inholdings and use during fie operationsSlide14

Foam

Product mixed with water then delivered to fire. In many cases it is injected before release from tank or bucket

Primarily delivered with rotor wing aircraft

Is dropped on the fire as a suppressant

Harmful to aquatic life as it acts as a surfactant

Is not to be used closer then 300 feet to open water.

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Gel

Product mixed with water in a tank then delivered to the fire as a suppressant

Primarily delivered in fixed wing aircraft as a substitute for retardant

Is a polymer based product that does not biodegrade is not as harmful to aquatic life as foam will reconstitute when rewetted

300 ft. buffer from open water requiredSlide16

Transportation of Invasive Species

Aircraft have the potential to transport and spread aquatic invasive species. The objective of all Invasives Plans is to prevent introduction of new species to an eco system and prevent the spread of known invasives to uninfected areas.

As a READ it is important to know what the invasives are in your areas

Be prepared with the required mitigation methods work with the local FAO/UAO on building a plan that can be implemented

Know where the hot spots are to avoid

Have a supply of any special chemicals or washing agents that are not readily available

Ensure equipment is clean and inspected before it is used in your areaSlide17

Transportation

The primary use of rotor wing aircraft transporting water is to deliver it to a fire. Transition from one water body to another can be mitigated in a number of ways. They include:

Pre-identification of dip sites and washing protocols

A plan for dealing with in coming aircraft for inspection and cleaning.

Mapping areas of concern and “hot spots” to avoid

Understanding the system snorkel, bucket, bucket with

torx

valve

READS with a knowledge of the areas and concerns, types of aquatics that exist in the area are key in successful mitigation measuresSlide18
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Scoopers

CL-215 and 415 are becoming more common as a suppression tool. These aircraft can deliver large quantities of water to a fire and have the potential to quickly move from one body of water to another with out landing or refueling. As this is a newer tool for many areas use will be a learning experience.Slide20

Scoopers

Potential Problems:

Water being dropped from a lake into a stream which flows into a different drainage.

Spreading surface invasives such as milfoil mats

Spreading invasives from one lake to another as the overflow during pickup is put into the water body.

Many of these aircraft work in areas where zebra mussels are present in the water

Forest Service is contracting more of these resources then in previous yearsSlide21

Scooper Mitigations

If you work in an area that has the potential to use the aircraft the following measures and

pre-planning

help in the prevention of introduction and spread of invasives

Have a plan for pre use inspection, cleaning and use

Have scooping areas pre-identified and inspected for invasives. If you use an infected area then have a plan and equipment available to cleanse the system

Once use is completed ensure aircraft is cleaned before it leaves or moves to a new body of water.

Discuss with FAO/UAO of potential areas that could be used and build a plan to manage the resources once they arrive.

Pre-planning is the key to success