Posted on 10/24/2007 11:10:27 PM PDT by Clive
PORT ALBERNI - The grand dame of B.C's firebombing aircraft is to leave Vancouver Island at first light this morning to help fight the massive wild fires ravaging Southern California.
The Martin Mars waterbomber, which has been fighting forest fires in B.C. for 47 years, is to arrive in the San Diego area early this afternoon to begin fighting the fires that have destroyed more than 1,200 homes and forced more than 500,000 to be evacuated.
California authorities requested the plane and a contract was signed yesterday morning with representatives of the Coulson Group, which owns the two Port Alberni-based Mars aircraft.
"We started raising the flag back up again and saying we're here if you need assistance," said Jim Messer, chief operating officer of the Coulson Group. "We got a request and a contract to go down there at 7 a.m. Tuesday."
Messer said the California authorities are well aware of the Mars aircraft, which helped fight Southern California wildfires in 2000.
"We're in the business of fighting fires," said Messer. "It's the world's largest amphibious aircraft and has a 7,000-gallon water capacity for firebombing, for firefighting."
More than 68,000 homes are threatened and 121,000 hectares destroyed by fire between an area north of Los Angeles to the Mexican border. "What we're hoping for, both us and Cal Fire, is that there will be some lull in the winds and that's the time to jump on top of these fires and knock them back and knock them down," said Messer. "And we'll be there ready for that."
Capt. Steve Wall and a crew of four will man the plane, which is based out of Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, while a support staff of about 10 will greet the plane with their service van and fuel truck upon its arrival.
The fires are raging out of control.
"It's zero-per-cent contained and lots of out-of-control fires, so we're a bit apprehensive as to what we're going into down there," said Messer. "But we're also very comfortable that we've got the skill set and the folks to pull off some assistance for them. So we'll just go down and be logical and take it day by day.
"They're at their worst drought on record, so if you combine that with the strength of these winds, then it's not hard to imagine these are the worst fires on record."
It's unclear how long the aircraft will be on loan to California authorities. "It's just going to depend on how the fire season goes down there," said Messer. "It would not be unusual for their winds and fire season to continue right through January."
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The basic platform of the Mars, but in the Mariner form.
I would say its the Mother of all FireFighting Planes, but you can’t say “Mother” in California.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
Does this thing load by skimming or when on step? Or does it have to come to a stop and pump water on board?
Oldplayer
Skimmer, but it can be filled from hoses.
Cool.
My mother worked at Glenn L Martin when/where the Mars was built. They are a sight to see.
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