Texas Wildfires (Sept 2011)

[mdparthum]

At a time like this, checking people's training records is impossible. However; utilize your resources better and put those people into support/rehab roles. Have these volunteers cover empty stations, provide care for displaced people, make food, or direct traffic. Anyone with fire training knows the nature of fire and fire doesn't know if your are a career guy or a volunteer, you still get burned the same. But, the Forestry Service has their SOP's they have to go by and follow the plan. Just use the help when it is offered.

It's times like these I am glad I am retired and at the same time sad too! I still have the urge to go and fight fire.

[Cajungaltx]

Well - it's west Houstons turn now. GW Bush park.

One of these are Briar Forest at Hwy 6, the other is from Memorial at Hwy 6.





This one is from my driveway! That's the neighbors grass... I think it'll burn quickly, it's so dry. ;-(

[rab3rd]

L lenses and helping the univision crew gets you a pass into the command center. :-)

[rab3rd]

The assumptions people make :-)

[Flynlow]

I'm a pilot so I was able to get some aerial photos. The FAA issued a Temporary Flight Restricition that said we needed to stay above 4,000 feet (MSL). We decided 5,000 was better, as we didn't want to get in the way. There was only one helicopter fighting the fires when we went up.

The next day, I drove to Smithville Airport and met some of the helicopter pilots. They were very friendly guys and talked to me for awhile about flying and of course my camera. As someone else mentioned, L lenses get a lot of attention and people assume you're with a paper! I do write for some aviation magazines, but I was only there for personal interest.

Here are the links to my photos. My photos are typically sharper, but remember I was almost a mile up!
From The Air
From The Ground

[r0xikat]

wow.

yeah, I saw the smoke plume on the way home looking north of 90.

Jeff, if you ever need a copilot or a passenger, let me know!

[Grummpy1]

These are some pics of just some of the aircrafts here at our airport that are helping with the wildfires. You have to excuse some of them because until my new camera comes in all I have is a $20 pocket camera I got from a friend. Having security clearance is pretty cool sometimes. Seeing all these different aircrafts is pretty cool also, just wish it was an air show and not because of all the fires. Prayers go out to all those who have been effected.

[Grummpy1]

Hope I didn't post more than I was supose to at one time.
#1 P2 Netune Air Tanker. Wish sun hadn't thrown such a glare on plexaglass.
#2 One Air Tanker pulling up to refill with retardant and one just taking off.
#3 P2 Engine. 16 cylinder radial engine producing 3500 hp.
#4 Bell Helicopter that uses water basket.
#5 Texas National Guard Blackhawk that uses water basket.
#6 Boeing Chinook Helicopter.
#7 Inside of Chinook. The cart is holding the water basket.

[snydersnapshots]

I really like the shot of Tanker 55 taxiing with Tanker 07 climbing out in the background. The open engine nacelle is good too.

[lhdvies]

Hey John - nice shots & it is great to have you posting again!!! I also really like the second shot!

[Grummpy1]

My new (used) Canon finally made it in yesterday. I would like to get a chance to shot these planes in action but hopefully it will be when they are leaving because there are no more fires and not because they have to go out and fight more fires.

When I was taking the photo of the plane taxiing out I didn't even notice the one that had already lifted off, very lucky fluke. The little camera I was using only had auto focus and it was hit and miss trying to get a photo in focus when the planes were moving. I bet I shot 200+ photos to get maybe 40 in focus enough to keep.

Thanks for the kind words. Their not the best photos and don't compare to some the the photos people post on here but it was a cheap camera and I;m no where near as good as some of you, but now I have a decent camera so I'm one step closer.

[merock]

I drove through a couple of weeks ago, talked to some locals, and took some photos. Pretty crazy what happened out there. Here's a blog link:

Bastrop Fire Aftermath : Merrick Ales Photography