Bad Helicopter Season

[RotorPilot]

Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2003

Ontario fire still out-of-control

 

Canadian Press

 

Kenora, Ont. — Heavy rains have calmed a raging forest fire near the northwestern community of Sioux Lookout, Ont., but fire management officials caution that the blaze is still not under control.

 

Full story:

 

 

Jun. 25, 2003. 07:33 PM

 

 

Rain helps fight raging Ontario forest fires

From Canadian Press

 

Firefighters in northern Ontario hope a burst of much-needed rainfall will provide them with the window of opportunity they need to douse three of the biggest forest fires raging in the province, Ministry of Natural Resources officials said today.

Rain fell in the area late Tuesday night and continued into today, dampening the earth and lowering temperatures, creating ideal fire-fighting conditions for the next couple of days.

"Rain won't put out these fires for us," ministry spokeswoman Deb MacLean said today. "It is sheer labour-intense work that will put them out. This gives us the opportunity to pour all our resources into fighting these fires."

 

Full story:

[RotorPilot]

Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:46:04

 

Rain sparks hope of beating forest fires

TORONTO - Fire fighting crews in Ontario are hoping recent bursts of rainfall will give them the upper hand over three of the largest forest fires burning in the province.

 

 

 

See also:

Forest fires photo gallery

Satellite images photo gallery

[Puddle Jumper]

Yes sioux 46 was a big darn fire. My co-worker originally called it in with only 1 tree lighting up like a roman candle. They supposidly had it under control....but the next day it was out of controll. I flew under the smoke about 5 miles to the north and it was like the flying at dusk...but with a eary glow to it. Of course that was the time I forgot my digital camera and then as luck would have it it the digital stopped working all together. The crews from alberta and BC will be smudging that fire for the next 2 weeks...turning over the soil and looking for hot spots. With all the rain there will be a damper on things however we are still getting lightning and a drying trend is supposidly on the way. Tomorrow all the helis are coming back to dryden...can''t wait!

 

Bye the way if anyone knows of an operator looking for a lowtimer to help fill any voids, send me a PM. I would love to get to work with the helis rather than watch them.

[RotorPilot]

Jun. 26, 2003. 01:00 AM

 

Rainfall gives firefighters chance to tame forest fires

Restrictions lifted in Dryden, Thunder Bay, Red Lake, Kenora. Major blaze near Wawa continues to confound crews

 

Stephanie Levitz

Canadian Press

 

Firefighters in Northern Ontario hope a burst of much-needed rainfall will provide them with the window of opportunity they need to douse three of the biggest forest fires raging in the province, Ministry of Natural Resources officials said yesterday.

Rain fell in the area late Tuesday night and continued early yesterday, dampening the earth and lowering temperatures, creating ideal firefighting conditions for the next couple of days.

 

Full story:

 

 

 

 

Friday, June 27, 2003 - Page A5

 

Fires may flare up again as weather patterns shift

 

 

Officials say they will know by the end of today if their efforts to battle forest fires in Northern Ontario have altered the size and state of the blazes. Since Tuesday, rain, heavy cloud and high humidity have given firefighters a chance to control the more than 30 fires in the area. Today, sun and cloud are expected to return to much of the region, drying the ground and raising temperatures. CP

 

Full story:

 

 

 

[RotorPilot]

 

Saturday, Jul. 5, 2003

 

 

Ontario forest fires nearly under control: ministry

Canadian Press

 

Wawa, Ont. — The three large fires that have been burning in northeastern Ontario since mid-June are almost under control, said a spokesman from the Ministry of Natural Resources on Saturday.

 

[RotorPilot]

July 30, 2003. 01:00 AM 

 

 

Alberta battles to keep fires from engulfing communities   -   1,000 residents put on alert

Light winds helping firefighters

Carol Harrington

CANADIAN PRESS

 

HILLCREST, Alta.—Light winds were blowing a raging wildfire parallel to threatened communities in the Crowsnest Pass yesterday, allowing crews to build fire lines to buffer populated areas in the mountainous region of southwestern Alberta.

The Lost Creek fire, which has burned out of control since Wednesday, has up to now forced 100 people from their homes and had more than 1,000 on alert to leave on an hour's notice. By yesterday it had grown to cover 115 square kilometres.

Full story:

[downwash]

Ah, so! The "paperboy" returns. Where you been, RP?

[VERTICAL REF]

Who's the man now dawg?

 

when will the rookies ever learn. there is always a fire season.

 

can anyone crew change me out on the super for time off...lol  tax problem again...

[RotorPilot]

 

Jul. 31, 2003. 01:00 AM

 

 

Alberta fire bigger, but towns still safe. - Winds keep blaze from settlements - Forest camping grounds closed

HILLCREST, Alta.—The mountain wildfire threatening this picturesque southern pass through the Rockies grew in size yesterday, but winds continued to keep it away from the area's two biggest towns.

About 2,700 people from the municipal districts of Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek were told to be ready to leave on an hour's notice, as crews battled the 119-square-kilometre Lost Creek fire. But 100 people from east Hillcrest chose to leave and were staying away from their homes

 

Full story: 

 

 

 

[RotorPilot]

Friday, 01 Aug 2003

 

Residents of B.C. town told to evacuate

 

 

Kamloops, B.C. — A fast-moving forest fire north has forced officials to put 1,800 people in the small town of Barriere, B.C., on evacuation alert Friday.

 

The fire has already claimed three structures in the area. About 40 residents of 30 homes were to flee the community of McLure, 40 kilometres north of Kamloops.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, 01 Aug 2003 15:37:30

 

1,800 B.C. residents told to evacuate

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A fast-burning fire forced about 1,800 people to leave their homes Friday in Barriere and head to Kamloops in the B.C. Interior.