Afternoon Update: When firefighting planes can't fly
Weather, terrain and drones all cause interference with aerial wildfire efforts.
(Photo by the author)
Air tankers that drop fire retardant and helicopters equipped with water intake and spray pumps are some of the most-welcomed sights for residents and businesses when a wildfire is raging nearby.
The visuals of air tankers spreading pink retardant across fields and homes coupled with helicopters spraying water has become a common sight in television news broadcasts and newspaper images alike during wildfire season.
But flying in areas where wildfires are present can be a difficult and dangerous job for firefighting pilots and other crews tasked with battling those blazes. In some cases, wildfire planes are grounded indefinitely due to perilous conditions and extreme weather that wildfires often generate themselves.
Only a few wildfire planes and helicopters were spotted in the skies above Vacaville and Fairfield when the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire crossed the ridge between Napa County and Solano County two weeks ago. At the time, firefighting experts said the thick smoke that generated hazy conditions coupled with the area’s rocky terrain made it dangerous for crews to battle the blaze from the air.
“They need a flight path,” Scott McLean, CAL FIRE’s Deputy Chief, said in a news interview several years ago. “They have to see the ground to be able to make drops or see obstructions.”
This year’s wildfire season is not the first where air tankers and helicopters were grounded by dangerous fire conditions, but those situations are becoming increasingly common as fires get worse with each passing year.
Adding to the danger: The proliferation of drones. Once seen as a toy for hobbyists, camera- and wildfire-equipped drones have become common tools of professional and amateur photographers alike in recent years, especially as they’ve dropped in price. Television stations are even trading in their expensive helicopters — which can cost $250,000 a year or more to maintain — for cheaper drones, while newspapers are equipping their photographers with them to capture once-impossible aerial photovisuals.
But flying drones near a wildfire scene creates complications for firefighters and other public safety officials during an active emergency. Fearing possible collisions, firefighting planes are grounded when a drone is spotted in the sky. That delay can cause wildfires to spread, potentially endangering property and lives.
Since 2016, the number of public drone incursions during wildfires has dropped every year. That said, drones still interrupted wildfire-fighting efforts nearly 20 times last year alone. That number could be hire, the U.S. Forest Service warns, because there’s no central database for reporting issues caused by drones; the agency relies on its own spotting coupled with news media reports for its official number.
Already this year, several issues related to drones have caused wildfire planes and helicopters to halt operations — a big problem considering uncooperative weather has already limited their ability to take to the skies in some areas.
The U.S. Forest Service says individuals who fly drones could be subject to civil penalties up to $25,000 per instance. In extreme cases, those who fly drones could be subject to criminal prosecution.
Not all drones are bad — some unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to map topography and gather intelligence on some of this year’s worst wildfires in California. But public safety officials say leave the drone flying to them.
Fast Facts
375,209 acres burned
66 percent contained
2,730 firefighters, 46 crews assigned to fire
1,209 structures destroyed across six counties
268 single-family homes destroyed in Solano County
5 commercial buildings destroyed in Solano County
117 homes and other buildings damaged in Solano County
5 fatalities, 4 injuries confirmed
Public information line: 1-707-967-4207
Information accurate as of Tuesday, September 1 at 1 p.m. PDT
Local Assistance Center
Solano County has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to establish a local assistance center at the Solano Community College satellite campus in Vacaville.
The local assistance center is a one-stop location for recovery and support services provided by local, state and federal partners. FEMA officials will also be on hand to help with in-person applications for federal disaster relief aid.
The local assistance center opens this Sunday, August 30 and will be available to residents between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Face masks and social distance protocols will be required. Residents who don’t have a face mask will be provided one for free. (Read more)
The center is a physical version of Solano County’s virtual assistance center, which will remain accessible online at SolanoCountyRecovers.org. The virtual assistance center provides information on financial assstance, vital document replacement services, mail re-routing and delivery, temporary housing, healthcare and mental health offerings. It also provides connections for veterans and agriculture workers who need various forms of assistance due to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire.
For more information on either the virtual or physical local assistance center, call Solano County officials at 1-707-784-1575 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
Air Quality Alerts
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District monitors air quality in the Solano County and Yolo County areas. Today’s air quality is forecast to be unhealthy, and an air quality warning remains in place for the region. Yolo-Solano AQMD offers free air quality and Spare the Air alerts delivered by email and/or text message. (Sign up to receive air quality alerts)
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference. (Sign up here)
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LNU Solano is not affiliated with Solano County or any public safety agency. During times of crisis, always follow the direction of law enforcement and other public safety officials. Plan ahead for wildfires at www.readyforwildfire.org.