California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Post

The 2013 Rim Fire burned through the Sierra Nevada becoming the second largest wildfire in California’s recorded history at the time. Now, a decade later, it ranks as just the 11th largest wildfire on record. The Rim Fire initiated an era of “megafires” sweeping across California’s landscape. Since then, leaders across our state have improved understanding of the complexities of wildfire management and the urgency to increase pace and scale of our efforts. As megafires rage this summer from Canada to Greece, join us for a candid talk with experts about how catastrophic wildfires have shifted and intensified our wildfire strategies and what is needed moving forward. Managing Megafires - Reflecting on a Decade in the New Megafire Era: Lessons Learned, Progress and a Path Forward August 23, 2023 I noon to 1pm Register to join: https://lnkd.in/gETMDA7y California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Sierra Nevada Conservancy Hugh Safford U.S. Forest Service

I'd rather see a Mars water bomber, sadly politics and Industry / CA's preference for runway based / heli water bombers means it's unlikely either of the airframes will ever see service as water bombers again in the US or Canada. I've been aboard both Mars several times & flown on both the Philippine & Hawaii Mars firefighting up in BC. Impressive as the VLAT tankers are they have 1 indisputable achilles heal - THEY MUST RETURN TO A BASE Runway FOR WATER. They can be re-loaded relatively quickly but there's still the latent tendency for increased transit times back to the drop zone. In the US the Mars aircraft didn't make as much sense but for Canada they were a very good fit for remote fires distant from cities and support runways. That achilles heal is not much of a problem 98-99% of the time BUT the 1-2% where there is no viable VLAT runway nearby just means more aircraft in the area, on scene and en-route which increases the flight hours (crew & aircraft) and increases the risk of accidents. There's been several C-130 firebomber accidents, one of which crew fatigue was listed as a contributing factor. The Mars (and the smaller CL-415) doesn't need a base to pickup water. When I flew on the Hawaii Mars we could drop, jog to a nearby lake, scoop and be back over the target fire in 15 minutes or less. We were turning runs quicker than the helicopters pulling from that same lake that could only drop a tiny fraction of our 7200Gal water load. There's still spares (engines & parts) available and mechanics that can service the Mars aircraft but Coulson has placed the Hawaii Mars up for sale, The Philippine Mars is stored along w/ it at Sproat Lake. Both hopefully get preserved and honestly I'd like to see one of them fly even if just for show. Both aircraft are an important part of US WWII & Aerial Firefighting history.

Unfortunately, the Senate passed SB 688, but the House of Delegates can still preserve our #WVPublicLands, provide transparency, and prevent no-bid contracts. We need you to take action to protect our State Parks and Rail Trails. Contact the House Committee on Government Organization and ask them to reject SB 688: https://lnkd.in/gfBbK9tb SB 688, as written, references the purpose as wildfire management. However, the Division of Forestry already has the tools it needs to manage wildfires. The Division’s website even says that most fires are caused by careless burning — not natural causes. SB 688 potentially opens all WV public lands to widespread timbering and economic development for special interest projects. Our State Parks, Kanawha State Forest, and Rail Trails could lose protections against timbering. The purpose of Wildlife Management Areas could change from wildlife habitat and hunting to timbering. SB 688 could also permit secret, noncompetitive bid contracts from out-of-state interests that threaten the beauty and value of our public lands. West Virginians know best how to protect our public lands’ not out-of-state companies seeking a profit.

Did you know the pandemic altered human behaviour, which in turn affected wildlife patterns? 🦊 Dr. Cole Burton from UBC Faculty of Forestry and his team used wildlife cameras to observe these changes, uncovering diverse animal responses to human activity shifts and highlighting the importance of managing human-wildlife interactions to promote coexistence. 🔗 Learn more about the steps we can take to peacefully co-exist with the wildlife we cherish: https://bit.ly/45Yk38E #CoExist #Wildlife #COVID19

Exploring Tilt Pole Innovation in Toowoomba: Detecting fires within minutes!! Watch our Short Video! Curious about cutting-edge tilt pole setups? Check out our latest video showcasing a sleek tilt pole installation in the scenic Toowoomba region! Our CEO, Christopher Tylor, personally oversaw the installation of a Axis Communications camera at an HQPlantations site in Queensland, Australia. 👷♂️ This tilt pole boasts an Axis Communications camera mounted at the top, seamlessly connected to our state-of-the-art early fire detection system. The setup is designed to detect fires in forestry areas and their surroundings, enhancing safety and early intervention. For over four years, we've been at the forefront of fire detection, thanks to our innovative artificial intelligence-assisted system. Proudly Australian-made and owned, our technology continues to redefine standards in early fire detection. At exci, we take immense pride in the meaningful work we do. Safeguarding communities, forests, and wildlife from the threat of fires is not just our mission—it's our commitment. Learn more about our journey and innovations at https://www.exci.ai/news/ #firedetection #TiltPoleInnovation #AIAssistedTechnology #AustralianInnovation #ProtectingOurEnvironment #australianmade #australianowned #fireprotection #earlyfiredetection #artificialintelligence #stopbushfires #stopwildfires

Thomson Reuters reports that "Wildfires are plaguing the people of California in the United States and the residents of Queensland state in Australia this week.   A Southern California wildfire fueled by desert winds burned 2,487 acres (1,010 hectares) ... The Highland Fire nearly doubled in size from Monday night to Tuesday, blown toward the west by Santa Ana winds. The seasonal phenomenon occurs when dry desert air blows toward the ocean, creating a fire hazard in Southern California. The fire was 10% contained as of Tuesday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said, after crews attacked the blaze on the ground and aircraft dropped fuchsia-colored retardant. Thomson Reuters reports that Residents in Australian state urged to flee as wildfires blaze.. Residents in three areas in Australia's northern Queensland state were ordered to evacuate their homes on Wednesday, as bushfires burned out of control. Firefighters including those flown in from across Australia and New Zealand have been battling blazes in the state... #wildfires #wildfire #wildfireprevention #sustainability

🔥 California's Wildfire Resilience Initiative: A Critical Step Towards Protecting Our Communities and Ecosystems 🌲🌍 We are heartened to see the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) making significant strides in wildfire resilience, as highlighted in their recent update. With the increasing threat of wildfires due to climate change, CNRA's proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding our environment and communities. Key initiatives include:  🌟 Enhanced Firefighting Capabilities: Investing in state-of-the-art technology and equipment.  🌟 Community Preparedness Programs: Empowering residents with the knowledge and tools to protect their homes.  🌟 Forest Management: Implementing sustainable practices to reduce fuel loads and restore ecological balance.  🌟 Research and Innovation: Collaborating with scientists to develop new strategies for wildfire prevention and response. These efforts not only aim to mitigate the immediate dangers of wildfires but also focus on long-term resilience and sustainability. By supporting such initiatives, we can help ensure a safer, more resilient future for all. #WildfireResilience #ClimateAction #SustainableForestry #CommunitySafety #CaliforniaWildfires #CNRA

We're going to be doing this in BC, right? Open conversations and problem solving on issues related to wildfire resilience in BC, right? We're going to involve the very people who are most impacted by wildland fire management in BC, right!? Or has the momentum already started to fade as we retreat back into our old ways?

If you know how quickly wildfires can spread then you understand why it’s critical to be prepared and have an action plan. May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and in the coming weeks, we’ll share tips on preparing and preventing fires for yourself, your home, and preparing for evacuations. According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), you’ll want to create a wildfire action plan. 1) Determine a meeting point 2) Map out escape routes 3) Make specific animal arrangements 4) Have a communication plan Learn more here today: https://lnkd.in/gYNq3u9D #NationalWildfireAwarenessMonth #FireWX #CAWX #SJSUMetCS #SJSU