I came across an interesting item on the “Initial Attack” forum thread on WildlandFire.com.
Members reported a new fire off Interstate 80 near the summit dubbed the “80 Fire.”
As you follow the thread it is apparent the Incident Commander upon size up requested a “heavy” air tanker from dispatch. For whatever reason the request was denied. Posters believe the aircraft requested is Tanker 910 most recently on assignment on the Zaca Fire in Santa Barbara. The fire, reportedly now at under 100 acres and holding was initially deemed a threat to a housing development in Truckee, 1/2 mile ahead of the fire.
Not second guessing dispatch here, in fact the information is second hand and it would not be fair to say the IC actually requested the DC-10 Supertanker (T-910). In any case this says the following;
- Battalion level fire officers know the tanker exists and what it is capable of.
- There is no turning back on the project after the current contract ends.
- Opinion from the field will put pressure on Fed tightwads who killed the 747 Supertanker.
- Firefighters will be looking overhead for the “heavy” on incidents in the future.
I predict a day when there will be a half dozen DC-10 or 747 tanker conversions stationed around the Western States in years to come. There is no turning back.
More coverage on the “80 Fire” here.
