robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Last week during a fairly large brush fire a few miles from my house I found myself under the "attack" path of the retardant/water bombers. The lake where they could scoop water was east of me, the airfields to reload retardant were north and east while the fire was just SW about 3-4 miles away. So they were passing over my house going both ways. At least two types of helicopters, three twin engine prop planes and a medium size jet. The choppers making the precision drops had to go in between mountains below the peaks and make a turn into a canyon on some of their runs. And this late in the afternoon they were going straight into the sun. The whole western horizon was smoke in shades of orange from the low sun while thanks to the wind looking south was blue sky, clouds and smoke without the orange.
Not an easy or safe job but all those pilots just kept up the rotation of making runs on the fire and then out to reload all day, most of the night and the next day.

This one or another just like it were going over my house about every 10 minutes only a few hundred feet up. Picture #2 is a chopper headed into the fire and one of the prop planes heading back to reload. The difference in the sky is that #2 is looking directly south and #1 looking directly west.

#1 5DIV, 100-400L + 1.4 III @ 189, 1/400 @ f/8, ISO 100 hand held
#2 5DIV, 100-400L + 1.4 III @ 280, 1/400 @ f/8, ISO 100 hand held

(Download)


(Download)

Rick-ws Loc: Seattle or North Idaho

SWEET! 1/100th shutter speed might have captured some rotor blurring. Alas it is hard to stop the craft in air too.

danniepolley

Sorry the fire is so close to you, hope you stay safe. Nice photos.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good Robert.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Nice shots! See any CH-54's?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I was set up for birds at the feeders.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The fire was burning to the south and west and almost every square yard between is built up urban right up to the mountain side. Also a mountain was between the fire and me.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

thanks
The fire started at the start of a major hiking trail that my son and daughter and friends often visit. I am willing to bet someone pulled a vehicle with a hot catalytic converter off and parked in the weeds. Then took off when the fire started.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Not this time.

Rick-ws Loc: Seattle or North Idaho

The colors in the first picture are fantastic (second is super too).

I'm glad you have some distance from the fire itself.

In North Idaho, where we are now, the fire danger is high but not extreme thanks to moderating temperatures, but a soaking rain without Lightening would be great in your parts and ours too.

Stay safe!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Moderating temps???? what is that we are on day three of five prdicted 100+ and the next week is predicted for high 90s As to rain, here it is almost unheard of this time of year.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Two beautiful captures.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank You