justnorth posted on October 28, 2007 23:53 :: 1810 Views
Minnesota’s two CL-215 aircraft left this morning for California to help fight the existing fires and also to work on initial attack (first fire response) in the Los Angeles/Burbank area, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“The aircraft and two crew members from Minnesota will be stationed at Fox Field just north of Los Angeles,” said Olin Phillips, DNR’s forest protection section manager. “Although some areas of the west are unable to use CL-215s because there is no available water source, they will be a useful tool in California because there are some large lakes where they can scoop water.”
Minnesota DNR CL-215 aircraft
Although many of the California fires are showing signs of containment, according to this morning’s National Interagency Fire Center report, it will be days before they are completely contained. Another round of Santa Anna winds could blow before the fire season is completely over.
In addition to the two CL-215 aircraft, six Minnesota wildland firefighters have left the state to work on the California fires.
The two CL-215 “water scoopers” were to complete their tour of duty in Minnesota at the end of October and return to their winter base in Kingman, Ariz.
Because recent rains have lowered the fire danger in Minnesota, the aircraft and their crews were available for national fire use. They will remain in California until state officials determine they are no longer needed. When they complete their tour of duty in California, they will go directly to Arizona.
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