Californian Fire Fighters on alert

[Sjaak]

An impression of some fire fighters taken in California last week at Hemet, Lancaster and San Bernardino

[boonens]

Wow, some nice stuff there. Thanks for posting...

[Key]

Yes, tasty!!

[Thijs]

An operational Neptune wow!!!

[Spitfire]

Nice report, Great pics.

I like the Bronco

[MainPower]

Indeed very nice ... awesome Neptune!

Cheers,
Matthijs

[Sjaak]

Thanks guys!

[Iwan Bogels]

Nice catch ! I love the new spinner on Neptune 12.....

By the way, it seems that you visited Lancaster - Fox Field too. Or at least that is where the Ericksson Skycrane seems to be shot. Lucky you that you caught Skycranes from three separate companies. Did you have any advance info on the location of these choppers ?

Cheers,
Iwan

[Sjaak]

[quote="Iwan Bogels"]Nice catch ! I love the new spinner on Neptune 12.....

By the way, it seems that you visited Lancaster - Fox Field too. Or at least that is where the Ericksson Skycrane seems to be shot. Lucky you that you caught Skycranes from three separate companies. Did you have any advance info on the location of these choppers ?

Hi Iwan,
You're right I forgot to mention Lancaster in the header text. Initially we did not have advance info but from the fireman that escorted us on Hemet we learned that several bases in the area were re-enforcing for the weekend as it had been very dry and sunny for a while and serious easterly winds were expected, he also informed that there might be equipment available at the San Bernardino and Lancaster fields upon which we decided to include these in the route. Also at van Nuys we found 2 LA County Fire Skycranes and two Canadian CL415s. Included are some van Nuys pics, quality not that good as result of the distance and subsequent heatwaves. At Lancaster we were even invited to climb on board the P2 by a very friendly (and very bored of doing nothing all day) pilot. He explained that the contract for the P2s at both San Bernardino and Lancaster would end last monday after which they were to fly the 4 hour journey back to Missoula MT for winter maintenance and storage. Before the flight however he was planning to visit the local home-depot and purchase a shower curtain in an attempt to keep the warmth in the cockpit during the flight as much as possible provided by self installed electric heaters! It can get really cold inside these very non-isolated oldies at FL90
Cheers,
Sjaak

[Iwan Bogels]

Also at van Nuys we found 2 LA County Fire Skycranes and two Canadian CL415s. Included are some van Nuys pics, quality not that good as result of the distance and subsequent heatwaves.

Hi Sjaak,

Didn't know LA County had their own S-64's these days. Did Ericksson transfer them, or are they operating the S-64's for them themselves? Thos CL-415's seem to be regular Van Nuys guests. I had two of them myself, a couple of years back. Of, and three Ericksson skycranes too....

I quess you enjoyed yourself.

Cheers,
Iwan

[robin990]

For 2008-09 Erickson marked the the Skycrane on contract with LA COUNTY FIRE tail markings. Also for 2008-09 the Erickson S-64 contracted by LA City Fire was marked with LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT on the tailboom.

For 2010 both LA City and County fire have S-64Es but not with Dept Markings......just ERICKSON on the tailboom

LA County Fire Dept. and LA City Fire dept are separate fire Depts. , LA City operate in the City of Los Angeles and LA County operate in the outlying and much larger County area.

[Iwan Bogels]

Thanks for the info Robin ! I'm looking forward to see one of these beauties again.

Cheers,
Iwan

[Richard from Rotterdam]

The Canadian CL415s are on contract in LA, my guess is from September to end October - early November. I am guessing around that time they can spare a few up North as the heat will have gone there already and possibly plenty of rain around. A few years back the mighty Martin Mars would come down to Cali as well, not sure if is still does.

[Key]

No CL-415 seen at CA fire bases during a September trip. Mars was there in 2009, not in 2010 AFAIK.

Erik

... edit: but read on ...

[Iwan Bogels]

No CL-415 seen at CA fire bases during a September trip. Mars was there in 2009, not in 2010 AFAIK.

Erik

Hi Erik,

Did you visit Van Nuys ? This seems to be the only place where they hang out every year. Not at the CDF-bases.

Cheers,
Iwan