[Fitzcarraldo]

In the early eighties I observed a helicopter rescue on the north face of San Gorgonio - the wind was gusting to 20 mph+ and the pilot had to set one skid on a rock to load the injured party. Because of the slope, the helicopter blade came within five feet of hitting.

I have a hard time believing these pilots can't negotiate drops in the current conditions.

Something else is going on here.

[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.

[lainie]

I don't know enough about it to say. Maybe the fact that they're stretched so thin is a factor?