State firefighters rejected air drop request (CA)

[Wellong]

State firefighters rejected air drop request for Cedar Fire because of night regulations

The first helicopter pilot to see the patch of flames that would become the catastrophic Cedar Fire radioed for aerial water drops, but state firefighters rejected his request because it came minutes after such flights had been grounded for the night.

Within hours, the flames cascaded out of control and killed 13 residents between the mountains east of San Diego and the city. It eventually became the largest wildfire in California history.

As he steadied his helicopter against wind gusts, Weldon's concern mounted. Just before landing, he called for backup, asking another county helicopter to speed to the scene with its 120-gallon water dump bucket. And he urged the dispatcher to contact state firefighters and renew his request for air tankers.

The helicopter with the dump bucket flew within five miles of the fire, before state officials told it to turn back, Weldon said. The air tankers never took off. Weldon was told crews would attack the fire in the morning.


Fully article here...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/10/30/state0152EST7678.DTL&type=printable

[kimchi]

1. Un-freakin-real.

Of course, one can just expect the fire to behave overnight and start up again in the morning like a good little conflagration.

Are there any professionals left in America?

[Tempest]

2. I guess their LIVES were more important than the fire

A night drop in high winds in a highly wooded area. A recipe for disaster.

They were smart not to risk their lives.

[kimchi]

3. It seems the helicopter pilot who requested backup

was a complete idiot then. Gosh, you'd think he'd be skilled at doing his job.

[Tempest]

4. You obviously have never been in a high pressure situation

All logic and concern goes out the window.

Nor is rational thinking the first order of business.