How to fight a brush fire, Pennsylvania style

[MCERT1]

Rather unique way to fill the Bambi bucket don't you think?

Honestly, I would have never thought of that.

Mikesphotos will enjoy this, the brush fire was only about one acre. I think the helicopter may have been abit too much.

*note I'm not dissing these departments, I come from Cambria County and respect these agencies*

[puppysboy222]

Looks like they attached a pumber to a small inflatable pool and then pumped water into it, which the helicopter picked up.

[MikesPhotos]

Rather unique way to fill the Bambi bucket don't you think?

Honestly, I would have never thought of that.

Mikesphotos will enjoy this, the brush fire was only about one acre. I think the helicopter may have been abit too much.

*note I'm not dissing these departments, I come from Cambria County and respect these agencies*

Great pic, and many departments use portable water tanks (known as pumpkins colloquially) to refill snorkels and bambi buckets when no water source is available. This allows Engines and Water Tenders to refill it and keep shuttling water back and forth to keep air operations close by the incident and travel time minimized.

Google Dip Tanks, Pumpkins, and Portable Water Tanks for other pics, including some that look like dump truck trailers.

[MCERT1]

I never really thought about using a dump tank like that before it just seems a bit dangerous to me, but then again I'm sure it's less dangerous than filling out of a public pool surrounded by a lot more obstacles than that.

[MikesPhotos]

I never really thought about using a dump tank like that before it just seems a bit dangerous to me, but then again I'm sure it's less dangerous than filling out of a public pool surrounded by a lot more obstacles than that.

It can indeed be dangerous, but every water source comes with its inherent dangers and challenges. On the Day Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, a Skycrane rolled over and impacted the ground after catching its snorkel on the lip of a tank at the Lockwood Heavy Helibase. Thankfully everyone on board walked away safely but the helo was a total loss for the most part.

With Type 1 (Heavy) helicopters such as Skycranes, Fire Kings and Firehawks, you want to keep them away from the Type II and Type III smaller helicopters due to the differences in pattern and flight characteristics, using dip sites and portable water tanks gives fire managers the ability to place the helispots wherever they are needed the most and in the safest areas for all involved. With bambi buckets, the concern is not overflying uninvolved residential housing and busy streets due to spillage and safety regulations, so with a dip tank like the one in the above photo, you can place it in an area that meets all FAA and department regulations.

Mike

[Newfoundking]

I must say, I don't think we have helicopters for fire extinguishing, although we have soo much forest, I think we just stick to Canadairs.

Off Topic, Mike, whatever happened to the word of the day topic?

[Grim_Wizard]

Fighting a forest fire VA style:

Three barrels of gun powder, put under water locked area wodden bridge, light fuse, run like hell, stop fire on island, go home safely.

[Newfoundking]

Holy Thread resurrecting batman!!

Also, what happens if there is no water by the fire then ?

[Grim_Wizard]

YOu kill it with fire then.

Always wanted to do that. LLiteraly you kill it with fire.

[Newfoundking]

You can, it's a practice used where basically you force a fire to hit the fire, and the two burn themselves out.. Not much you can do but hope it works.. And they don't like to use it because it's hard to setup and dangerous.. After all more fire = scary and risky

[erfd]

= more fun