Another smoky summer?

[John Harper]

Looks like another fire on the westside, hopefully not as long lived as last years Lion Fire:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... orest.html

John

[Wildman]

Everything is stacking up for this to be a busy fire season across the country. The Lion Fire was turned in into a Fire Use fire where it is allowed to burn as long as it stays relatively cool and doesn't go up into the trees. The goal is to put fire on the ground where it hasn't been for a very long time. It cleans up all the dead and down slash that is on the ground and is a good thing for the land and for future efforts to suppress fire in that area. The smoke pretty much sucks for those trying to recreate (or just go about their business). With only 11 (50 year old) air tankers for the entire nation....some resources are are going to be scarce this season.

Note: Just got word that two more air tankers crashed in separate incidents. Two pilots were killed in one and the crew of the other (flying on the George Fire) were able to make to Minden NV where they did a successful belly landing. That aircraft sustained major damage. There are now only 9 firefighting tankers left in the federal fleet that had 44 aircraft in 2009. Both aircraft were new delivered to the Navy in 1955 and then put in service with the Forest Service. Here is a link...scroll down: http://wildfiretoday.com/

[Artin]

It will be a hot and dry season for sure the way things are going. As I was driving up to Fresno Friday afternoon I sa a blaze se I think what looked like a controlled burning on the 5 by Tejon where you start going downhill. I hope things don't get out of control but I am not to optimistic, especially about the news of only 9 planes.... Sheesh.


Artin

[Papasequoia]

Lloyd Meadow Road is now closed, Forks of the Kern trail, * Meadow and Freeman Creek trail are all closed. More info on the George Fire can be found on inciweb here:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2885/

More info on the sad crash that killed two pilots and the other crash, both of which Jim mentioned above, can be found here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/todd-neal-tompkins-ronnie-edwin-chambless_n_1567533.html?ref=green

[The Steady Foot]

I was in the vicinity Fri thru Sun and the smell of smoke was strong in the air. I left my lift gate open all night in the meadows area and again 40 miles due south in the canyon and my rig stinks like a campfire. Vehicles from lots of agencies are up there getting busy: BLM, USFS, I even saw a Big Bear rig full of guys in Kville.

Gotta love having an "inside" guy like to Jim to get the word out there, thanks. Too bad about the loss of those folks who were out there battling, sorry to hear about that.

[johnnhoj]

Can someone say strike team