Posted on 07/14/2021 12:47:10 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Boaters on Lake Bemidji hindered efforts to fight a nearby wildfire Tuesday, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office said.
A wildfire sparked before 4 p.m. Tuesday in Eckles Township, prompting a precautionary evacuation of people in the area at about 4:45 p.m., Beltrami County Emergency Management said.
Firefighting crews tackled the 75-acre blaze on the ground and from the air via air tankers and helicopters. But those interested in watching what was going on made it difficult for the airplanes to collect water from Lake Bemidji.
At about 6 p.m., the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook asking people to avoid the north side of the lake because boats were getting in the way of airplanes as they swooped to collect water to fight the fire.
"Numerous boats are hindering water collecting efforts," the post said.
But that wasn't enough. Sheriff Ernie Beitel ended up hopping in a sheriff's boat and went out on the water once they noticed "boaters were not staying out of the way of planes grabbing water," a later post said.
The sheriff took video of one of the planes collecting water after rounding up boaters and clearing the way:
(Excerpt) Read more at bringmethenews.com ...
A friend of mine in Bemidji flys those planes.
And every one of them is skippered by someone saying, "It's not my fault, it's those people over there."
“The sheriff took video of one of the planes collecting water after rounding up boaters and clearing the way:”
Not a boat in sight!
This is like the morons standing in the road at the Tour De France, only this would be even more catastrophic to have a seaplane collide with a boat.
I am a very experienced boater and I am always aware of my surroundings on the lake. One thing I have always noticed people lose ALL common sense when they get behind the wheel of a boat. Total jack asses. That’s why I drive on the defense.
“Never get between a MN fisherman and his Walleye”
The movie “Grumpy Old Men” was filmed in MN and its pretty accurate.
What is not real...Ann Margret and Sophia Loren.
MN women are totally intimidated by hot women and very controlling.
How about some tough love?
Just one time have a plane sink a boat while picking up water. Problem solved.
Hey! Mrs. Afterguard is a hot MN woman and trust me she ain’t afraid of anything.
Too bad the boaters couldn’t figure out what the planes were trying to do - but that may have been difficult just from watching the planes.
I’m really surprised that a Facebook notice didn’t stop the boaters out on the lake - I’m on facebook all the time when I’m out on the lake. /s
At least they all got out of the way when the sheriff got there and could coordinate things on the “ground”.
Not surprised. Every time I find a spot I want to fish at on a large lake some water skier or personal watercraft has to show off how awesome they are 50 yards from my boat.
After watching the video, it must be tricky to go from flying an empty plane to a plane full of water so quickly.
“Too bad the boaters couldn’t figure out what the planes were trying to do -”
In the video the plane makes a steep left turn just above the water.
So the Sheriff was doing the same thing everyone else was doing.
And I’m guessing that the plane diverted to another place in the lake to get water to avoid the boats. So I’ll give the boaters a bit of a break on this. “Oh - he’s getting water from way over there - we’re good!”
I watched a couple of helicopters getting water from a small lake with their bags slung from a cable. I’m guessing every little bit helps, but seeing the massive smoke from the fire those huge bags seemed like a thimble-full of water.
“And I’m guessing that the plane diverted to another place in the lake to get water to avoid the boats.”
No boats in sight. He was making a U-turn picking up water at the ‘bottom’ of the U. Shortest, quickest path.
I’ve seen it done close up. It’s pretty amazing.
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