[Stoat]

Readers interested in the topics discussed in this thread will also likely be interested in this ongoing Free Republic thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1133164/posts

If you would like to learn more about the amazing Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft and it's long history of worldwide successes in battling massive wildfires, be sure to go to:

www.waterbomber.com

[paleocon patriarch]

This summer looks to be the worst wildfire conditions seen in a long time. Use of the Ilyushin IL-76's in the early stages of these potential fires would go a long way toward efficient utilization of firefighting resources.

[Colorado Doug]

The Forest Service turned down many offers of free heavy equipment and operators too. I offered a dozer and know of others who did the same.

[Carry_Okie]

Oh goody. Now we can get Porterville over here so he can threaten my house again.

"The people from the Forest Service seem to have a vested interest in continuing to ineffectively fight fires," said Kauffman.

Indeed they do, seeing as they won't do what is necessary to reduce the fuel in 190 MILLION ACRES of forests that are currently at risk of catastrophic fire.