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."