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 ...
“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.”
The goal is not to put out the fire but to contain it.
I’m talking about prior to the video and the sheriff getting there and directing them away from the area.
If the mosquitos at Lake Bemidji are the same as the mosquitos at Leech Lake, that may be what the guy saw from the air. Those things should have red and green warning lights blinking on their wings.
Bemidji? I remember that place from Fargo season 1.
“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.”
They hunt for and hit spot fires out ahead of the fireline that result from flying burning crap, not to hit the main body of the fire.
“They hunt for and hit spot fires out ahead of the fireline that result from flying burning crap, not to hit the main body of the fire.”
That makes sense. And also as another posted to hit areas around the edges. I suppose also in areas where fire-fighters are active. One of their “small” buckets would be huge compared to what a crew can do with their shovels, especially in an emergency.
A fix would be to tank up, circle around and drop the load on the interfering boats.
#27 then it would be raining walleye... or perch.
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