PA-PAS #8 and E-602

PA-PAS #8 returned Saturday (9/22) and were released to their respective homes the same day. PA-PAS # 8 was the last crew that we had sent out.

E-602 returned from its assignment 9/9/2018.

The fire activity is diminishing out west.

Crew and Engine Updates

Some quick updates regarding our crews and resources:

PAS# 8 was posted available Thursday (9/6) in the morning and we were called with an assignment for them in less than an hour.  The wildland fire resources have been stretched thin out west and there are very few resources available to assist. They are assigned to the Kerlin Fire on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California. 

PAS#7 returned on Friday (9/7). Due to their later arrival and distance to travel home, they stayed at the demobilization point and were released on Saturday (9/8). 

PAS #6 returned on Sunday (9/2).

E-601 returned on Thursday (8/30).

E-602 is still in Texas for initial attack.

We currently have 5 Single Resources assigned to fires.

PA-PAS #5

PA-PAS #5 returned home Thursday (8/23/2018) evening and were released to their districts.

PA-PAS #6 and PA-PAS #7 are the wildland fire crews we currently have assigned to assist other states.

Check back for more updates.

PA-PAS #7

We have dispatched another crew to assist in wildfires out west. PA-PAS #7 will be assisting in Oregon. They left early this morning on a few commercial flights out of Harrisburg International Airport.

Check back for more updates!

Crew and Engine Updates

Good morning everyone!

Just a quick update regarding our crews and engines assigned to fires in the west.

PAS#5 is scheduled to return on Thursday.  

PAS#6 is assigned to the Goldstone Fire near Dillon, Montana.

Engine 603 returned to Pennsylvania yesterday.  

Engine 601 is still in California and is prepositioned for initial attack on the Inyo National Forest. 

Engine 602 has demobilized from Texas and was sent to the Watson Creek Fire in Paisley, OR.

There is still a Planning Level 5 nationally. There are 37 Type 1, 2, and NIMO teams managing large fires. There are 54 uncontained large fires with just over 26,000 firefighters on assignment.  

Check back for more updates!

PA-PAS Crew #6

Pennsylvania has provided another crew to assist with wildfires occurring in the Northern Rockies. PA-PAS Crew #6 left from Penn Nursery yesterday (8/15/18) to travel to New Hampshire for a flight to their destination departing today (8/16/18). 

Check back for more updates!

PA-PAS Crew #4 Update

The members of PA-PAS Crew #4 returned last evening (8/13/2018) on commercial flights into Harrisburg International. They were released to their homes shortly after checking in with the demobilization.

Keep checking back for more updates!

PA-PAS Crew #4 Update and Photo

We received an update from PA-PAS 4 and a photo to share as well.

After being released from the Middle Canyon fire near Tooele, UT, PA-PAS 4 was dispatched to the Cedar Mountain fire on Friday (8/3/2018), then on Sunday (8/5/2018) reassigned to the Hansel Point fire, north of Salt Lake. Following their arrival, they were immediately sent to the field, and assisted with a large burnout operation until well into the night shift.

PA-PAS Crew #3 Update

PA-PAS Crew #3 arrived early in the evening on Tuesday (8/7/2018). After a long flight they stayed in a hotel near the Harrisburg International Airport. A BBQ buffet was provided for them including pulled pork and chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and corn bread. They were released back to their districts the next morning (8/8/2018).

PA-PAS #3 and a crew from Ohio had departed a NICC Jet and are unloading their gear from the jet.

PA-PAS #3 working together to get all the gear off the plane.

Engine Updates

Engine 603, currently assigned to initial attack in Texas, had a crew swap this past weekend. The fresh crew will continue with the same assignment – suppressing new fires in the Fredericksburg area. The first crew flew home yesterday (8/6/2018).

Engine 601 is in the area of Mammoth Lake in California on similar orders. They are one week into their assignment. We are awaiting word as to whether or not California will request a crew swap.

Engine 602 leaves early Wednesday (8/8/2018) morning to join 603 in Texas. The engine crew will join the hand crew (PA-PAS #3) tonight in Harrisburg, and leave from there in the morning(8/8/2018).

PA-PAS #5 Update - Copper Mountain Fire

We recently received an update from PA-PAS #5:

They spent Sunday night (8/5/2018) in Missoula, MT and headed for the Idaho panhandle yesterday (8/6/2018) morning.They are currently checked-in to the Copper Mountain Fire. This fire is roughly 150 acres along the Canadian border in the Kootenai National Forest. The average size of a large fire in this area is 10 acres. A Canadian hotshot crew is working their side of the border where the fire has spotted over, while the Lewis and Clark Hotshots are working the US side. Our crew and DES #2 will be joining the hotshots due to the weather forecast - indicating unusually high temperatures for the next 3 days, followed by high winds.

There is very poor communication in the area, along with travel through a slew of roads through rough country. The crew is looking at a lot of saw work as well. The crew boss seems very optimistic about this assignment.

PA-PAS Crew #5

Pennsylvania has provided another crew to assist in wildfires: PA-PAS Crew #5. The crew left Sunday (8/5/2018) from Harrisburg. 

Check back for more updates!

PA-PAS Crew #4 and E-601

PA-PAS Crew #4 was ordered late Thursday (7/26/2018) afternoon to support wildfires in Idaho. The crew left early Saturday (7/28/2018), after gathering Friday evening for food and rest before their flights.

We also had a request for a Type 6 Engine with a crew of four to assist in southern California. Engine 601 departed Friday morning and is expected to begin the assignment today (7/30/2018).

Pennsylvania currently has one other twenty-man crew assisting in Oregon and another engine in Texas.

Be sure to check back for more updates through the fire season.

Crew Updates PA-PAS 3 and E-603

PA-PAS 3 has sent a very positive update for those of us at home. The crew is currently assigned to the Hendrix fire in southwest Oregon. They have been working in the same division since their arrival, performing primarily mop-up in conjunction with the engines. Even though there’s been little variety to their work, the crew is in high spirits. The terrain is extremely steep, but the crew is maintaining situational awareness and ensuring everyone stays safe on the slope. 

E-603 has sent us this update: Upon arriving in McGregor, TX, the engine was immediately dispatched for initial attack of fires in the area. The engine boss is highly qualified, and served as the incident commander on their first assignment: a 1,900 ac wildfire. They have generally been working as part of a small task force, including another engine and a couple of dozers, traveling around the area and suppressing wildfires. The crewmembers will return from this assignment with valuable experience for PA.

Crew Photos - PA-PAS 3

A crew member from PA-PAS #3 sent this photo to share with all of you:

An update from the crew came in letting us know that they are doing well.

What is Nomex?

Whether you are a wildland firefighter or you have seen them in action or in photographs, their uniform is virtually the same across the board. They wear a yellow long-sleeve shirt and green pants (sometimes another color), all made of the same heat and flame-resistant material – Nomex®. Nomex® is the brand name of the material found in this gear, created by the DuPont Chemical Company. This uniform is an essential part of a wildland firefighter’s Personal Protective Equipment.

It is important to understand that Nomex® is NOT flame-proof. If you were to hold a flame to it, it would burn, however once you remove that flame the material stops burning. The fibers are very thick and woven close, and that provides for poor heat conduction. When the material is exposed to heat the fibers expand, closing all the spaces in between and providing insulation to the wearer. This gives the firefighters valuable extra seconds to get to safety in an emergency.

Gear made with Nomex® is the lightest option for Firefighters, which also helps reduce heat stress.

Did you know?

Nomex® is very similar to another well-known DuPont product, Kevlar®. Both products belong to a family of synthetic fibers called aramids. Aramids are known for their strength, durability, and heat resistance. Although Nomex® and Kevlar® have comparable qualities, there are significant differences between the two products. Kevlar® has an extraordinarily high tensile strength-to-weight ratio – it’s five times stronger than steel. For this reason, it’s commonly used in body armor and chainsaw chaps. Nomex®, on the other hand, has excellent thermal resistance, no melting point, and far superior moisture-wicking properties compared to Kevlar®.

Nomex® is not effective if it is excessively dirty, fuel-soaked, or has holes. Do you need to wash, repair or replace yours?

PA-PAS 1 and 2 Update 2

PA-PAS Crews 1 and 2 arrived safely in Harrisburg last night (7/23/2018) at approximately 1600. They were able to depart for their respective districts and homes despite the rain. They were all glad to be home and were in good spirits. They said that overall this was a good assignment. One crew member stated that it was roughly 100 degrees (give or take) and dry when they left, only to arrive home humid and rainy. 

Crew Photos - PA-PAS #3

We received this beautiful photo from PA-PAS Crew 3 to share with you.

Update from the crew:

The crew is in good spirits and generally all is going well. They have 5 pick-ups to travel in. The terrain in Oregon is steep and it's hot out.

Crew Photos - Dog Creek Fire

PA-PAS # 2 crew members have sent these photos and an update for us to share with you:

The photos were taken at the Dog Creek Fire in Gooding, Idaho. PA-PAS 2 were flown into their division for the day.

Everyone is doing well and there have been no issues.

PA-PAS Crew #3

Pennsylvania has sent out another twenty person crew to assist with fires in the Pacific Northwest.

PA-PAS Crew 3 left the Mobilization Center at approximately 8 am Saturday, July 21.

Crews 1 and 2 are still assisting in western states and are tentatively set to come home Monday, July 23.

We also have several people out to western states as single resources.

Our engine, E-603 has been dispatched to Texas with a crew of 3 people. The engine was ordered for initial attack, meaning that it will be assisting the local jurisdictions by responding to new fires.

Crew Photos and Update - Silver State Fire

PA-PAS 1 & 2 have sent us some photos and updates that we would like to share with you!



PA-PAS #2 crew members have sent these photos:

PA-PAS #1 crew members have sent these photos:

Both crews are currently assigned to the Silver State Fire near Elko Nevada. PA-PAS 2 has been doing mop-up and saw work. As of the update the fire was roughly 3700 acres and about 10 percent contained.

Crew Member Photos - Martin Fire

On Monday we received some photos from the crew members of PAS 1 & 2 that we would like to share with you.

PA-PAS Crews 1 and 2 Update 1

Pennsylvania's first Wildland Fire Crews for 2018 left early Saturday morning from the mobilization center to assist with the Martin Fire in northern Nevada.

After receiving breakfast they were transported to the Harrisburg Airport where they loaded the NICC Jet that would take them to their assignment.

They formed an assembly line to pack their gear into the stowage of the plane.

The crew members boarded the plane according to their crews.

The crew members arrived safely at their destination and are currently assigned to the Martin Fire. For more information on this incident click here.

PA-PAS Crews 1 and 2

It is that time of the year again where we begin to get requests for resources to aid in wildfire suppression. We already have two twenty man crews being mobilized to depart tomorrow July 7, 2018. 

Crew members from Pennsylvania will be gathering at the Mobilization center today, July 6, 2018.  Their flight will depart Saturday morning, July 7^th.  Crews will be flying to Boise, Idaho and will be assigned to a specific fire at a later date.  The exact destination is unknown at this time.

Summer Wildland Fire Academy 2018

There were quite a few differences in this year’s Wildland Fire Camp, including the location, duration and courses offered. Instead of being at Camp K, we held it at the Lock Haven University, and we held the academy for a full week.

There were twelve courses offered at this academy, with three of those twelve having 2 sessions throughout the week. There were also a handful of students who arrived to take their Faller 2 tests. The campus was packed with Wildland Fire Academy students.

The classed offered were:

· S-130
· S-190
· L-280 (two sessions)
· S-131 (two sessions)
·FI-110
· S-215
· S-211 (two sessions)
· S-212
· S-230
· S-236
· DZOP
· Basic Wildland Fire Camp

The Basic students were able to spike out overnight Saturday night on the mountain, despite the discouraging weather outlook that was presented throughout the week. The warm weather earlier in the week brought out several rattlesnakes, but everyone was able to stay clear of them.

We also hosted several students from other states and other parts of DCNR.

This year we had more people show up and less no-shows - we did well with a turnout of 92%! That wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the staff, instructors, and of course the students. As always, we appreciate the assistance of the districts.

Hazleton Air Craft

The Hazleton Tanker Base is once again an empty, quiet nest until next spring. 

Tankers 855 and 874 departed to their home airports this morning at approximately 0800.

A safe flight to them, and a safe remainder of the season to our fire crews as we finish up in Pennsylvania and gear up for out of state fires.

Red Flag Warning 5/2/2018

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - STATE COLLEGE OFFICE

*OVERVIEW:   The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity levels and fuel moisture will result in an elevated fire risk today.

*WEATHER HAZARDS:  Gusty winds (20-30 mph) and minimum relative humidity below 30%.                                                                                                                                                                               

*TIMING:  From 10 AM until 9 PM today.

*IMPACTS:  Increased risk for rapid development and spread of wildfires. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

*PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:  Review wildfire safety and preparedness information at weather.gov/wildfire.

Red Flag Warning 4/13/2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 8 PM EDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 021 Allegheny, Fire Weather

  Zone 029 Washington, Fire Weather Zone 031 Greene, Fire

  Weather Zone 073 Westmoreland and Fire Weather Zone 075

  Fayette.

For further information click here.

AT-802F: Initial Attack Firefighter

Both Hazleton and Mid-State support Air Tractor AT-802F’s; here at Hazleton we have three, while Mid-State has two. These airtankers can hold 800 gallons of retardant and can fly at almost 200 mph.

The Air Tractor AT-802F is built for battling fires large and small. It can pull double duty with initial attack and supporting ground crews.  The plane’s agility and performance allow it to be used where larger aircraft cannot.

A Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG turbine engine allows the AT-802F to fly between the fire and air tanker bases at speeds approaching 200 mph. This joined with the flexibility to operate from remote airstrips, dirt roads, or small airports (like ours) allow the it to make a quick impact on fires.

            

Once over the fire line, the AT-802F drops its load low, slow, and right where it’s needed to knock down brush and grass fires, and build a good retardant line. The AT-802F’s agility, speedy climb rates and compact size make it ideal for mountainous terrain, narrow flight corridors, and wildland-urban interface areas.

Air Tractor’s Gen II Fire Retardant Dispersal System (FRDS) is the industry’s most advanced and proven single engine air tanker fire gate. Click here to learn more about it, and see why it’s the industry’s preferred fire retardant delivery system.

AT-802F Performance

Cruise Speed at 8,000 ft (2.438 m):

221 mph (192 kts)

Working Speed (Typical):

120-125 mph (104-108 kts)

Range - Economy Cruise at 8,000 ft (2.438 m):

800 mi (1.287 km)

Stall Speed - Flaps Up:

105 mph (91 kts) at 16,000 lbs (7.257 kg)

Stall Speed - Flaps Down:

91 mph (79 kts) at 16,000 lbs (7.257 kg)

Stall Speed ad Usually Landed:

69 mph (59 kts)

Rate of Climb:

850 fpm at 16,000 lbs (7.257 kg)

For more information about Air Tractor AT-802F click here

Single Engine Air Tanker Arrival

The SEATs Have Landed!

Around 3:00 yesterday (3/22/2018) the Hazleton Air Tanker Base welcomed two of the three SEATs contracted for the Pennsylvania fire season.

The pilots were able to see the runway stark amongst the white snow as they made their approach. Luckily it had warmed up enough to melt away what was left of the snow after plowing. 

Some deer had decided to make their way to the runway before the planes came in for a landing, and made their getaway as the first plane rolled down the runway.

Soon after Tanker 874 pulled into the pits, Tanker 855 was landing. 

All of the Tankers we have for dispatch are Air Tractor 802Fs. They have the capacity to carry 800 gallons of retardant.

All in all, we were happy to see the tankers arrive in our pits safe and sound - ready for the fire season.

Winter Storm Quinn Response

UPDATE:

We have personnel from FFP and the Districts on Incident Management Teams deployed to assist communities throughout the stages of Winter Storm Quinn.

There are teams deployed to Delaware and Pike counties, as well as one on standby in Harrisburg.

Keep checking back for more updates as the storm progresses.

Winter Storm Riley Response

UPDATE:

Winter storm Riley left much of northeastern Pennsylvania reeling, knocking out power, cell phone service, and blocking roads with snow and fallen trees.

Delaware County requested some assistance with assessing and prioritizing damage on March 4. Based upon recommendations, the county had requested four saw teams, a safety officer, and two dump trucks with chippers to assist in opening roads. We are assisting Delaware County with these needs.

We have several saw teams assisting in Pike County as well, assisting in opening roadways. With those teams there is a Type 6 Engine and 3 snow mobiles with a pull behind sled.

An update on the teams came in last night (3/4):

"The saw crews did a lot of good work today. They cut an estimated 200 trees with a lot more to go. Many of the downed trees have wires down also. We are coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police, three different power companies, and Pike County Emergency Operations Center. One area has an estimated 100 or more trees with power lines. We will be working tomorrow until approximately 1800 hours and will be demobilized then. One crew used their snowmobile and rescue sled to help extricate a local resident from an area that was inaccessible by ambulance."

2018 Summer Wildland Fire Academy

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Summer Wildland Fire Academy! We're offering 12 classes during the week of June 18-24.Classes range from beginner to advanced, and are open to all. Many classes include fieldwork in addition to the classroom activities.

This year, the academy integrates what was commonly referred to as "Crew Camp", a weekend-long event for those wildland firefighters intending to assist other federal and state agencies across the nation - otherwise known as Pennsylvania Wildland Fire Crew (WFC).

Classes will run throughout the week, as well as all weekend long. The traditional "Basic" class for new members of WFC runs Friday through Sunday. This class requires registration through your local Forest District. To determine your district, and for contact info, visit http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Pages/default.aspx

As you can see on the course matrix (available on the registration site), you may sign up for one or several classes. Some classes have prerequisites, so be sure you are eligible prior to registering for a class. If you have questions regarding eligibility, contact your local forest district.

There is no tuition for any of the classes. Lodging and meals are also free for PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources employees, PA Forest Fire Wardens / Warden Crewmembers, and WFC crewmembers. Discounted lodging and meals are available for others upon request.

The contract for the location is currently in the final stages of approval. Once it's complete, we will announce the exact site in central PA.

Following registration at the site below, you will receive a confirmation email. This email is not a guarntee of placement. Class sizes are limited, so you will be contacted by March 30 regarding acceptance.

We hope to see you there!

Register here.

Registration closes on March 23, 2018