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