[bd476]

Strzelec write: "...Would be nice to have the 747 on line down here in SoCal. 24000 gals of water/retardant in 10 seconds puts alot of the good stuff on a fire real quick."

That is a lot of water. Could a 747 navigate through all the canyon passes down here?

Photo By Juan Carlo/Staff Photographer Ventura County Star

Moorpark 12-04-06: Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighter Gary Weslander sprays water on the hot spots at the end of Gabbert Road in Moorpark. Weslander is spraying to keep the embers from flying into some trailers near by.

[Strzelec]

bd747 writes "That is a lot of water. Could a 747 navigate through all the canyon passes down here?"

Wouldn't want to be on one if it tries. [GRIN]

For the DC10, current CDF doctrine is to use it to lay a buffer zone of retardant between the fire and a populated area to allow time for ground crews and traditional air to build a fire line. CDF uses their rotary & fixed wing (S-2T tankers) assets for the pinpoint stuff. Under current doctrine, don't think the DC10 would have to do any Luke Skywalker-like gyrations. Dittos for the 747, when we get one.

I worked a small fire (230 acres) last week east of Ramona in San Diego county. Winds gusting to 40 mph - not good. CDF and the local fire departments were all over that fire like a cheap suit. The S-2Ts were a pleasure to watch - even in the gusty winds they were making drops with pinpoint accuracy. 1200 gallons on the right place works, too.