[PhiKapMom]

It was explained on KTLA that the wind is blowing to the Southwest and if they dropped where the fires are burning they would miss their targest because of the wind. Also dangerous to fly into the smoke in the mountain area so they are making drops of fire retardent on areas that are near the fire but not on fire so there is no problem with smoke.

That's the explanation given by the spokesman from SB Fire Department.

[Fitzcarraldo]

These guys can hit anything...a few days at the fire near Rancho Cucamonga stories pilots were making drops and were returning "with branches on their wings".