Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Yesterday a new fire erupted near Colfax California in the Bear River Campground. It grew quickly and was moving north towards Grass Valley. Fortunately they brought in the big guns to drop retardant on the fire and have for now have brought it somewhat under control (expected full containment by Aug 14th). From my backyard I had a full view of the smoke and efforts to control the fire. Below are shots showing what I saw. All questions comments and suggestions are welcome.

70mm view of the smoke rising from the fire

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500mm view of the Airforce plane attacking the fire.

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Caught a view of both the Airforce and larger Jet tanker used in the fire fight.

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1000mm view of the large jet tanker dropping retardant.

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1000mm image of the Airforce plane dropping retardant.

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1000mm view of a small plane dropping retardant in specific spots after the larger planes dropped their loads.

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Closeup of the large tanker leaving (to refill his retardant tank, he came back within 1/2 hour).

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Ravine watching all the action from the top a tree in my yard (note: this guy is also in the first image above)

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500mm view of the fires glow at night.

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Panoramic view of the fire at night.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Quite a series. Do hope it is fully contained shortly.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi NMGal
Thanks for the comment and for checking out fire fighting series. It is looking much more controlled today. No large plums of smoke just a lot of smoky haze in the area.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Amazing series Ballard. Destruction will be wide spread. STAY SAFE!!

Don

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

Very interesting and quite scary. I hope it doesn’t affect you. BTW, I see that autocorrect and auto type caught you and changed raven to ravine. I’ve been considering turning it off because it tries to change the first part of my email address from budh to bush so I have to be super careful if I try to write my address in the text of a message. I think your photos were excellent at showing how the fire retardant was being delivered.
Bud

Quixdraw Loc: x

Been there done that recently, triangulated by fires, those now down. Stay informed, Inciweb and/or County DES and stay as cool as you can. Wishing you all the best!

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi PAR4DCR
Thanks for checking out the fire images and for the comment. So far 50 structures where lost in this fire.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Wonderful series - Hope and pray it doesn't get any closer

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi BudsOwl
Thanks for viewing the images of the smoke and fire and for the comment. The main affect on me so far is that it has delayed any astrophotography for a couple of days but others have been much more gravely impacted by this event. Thanks for the tip I hasn't noticed that it had changed my Raven to Ravine.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi quixdraw
Thanks for checking out the images and for info. Around here yubanet.com is really useful to stay on top of what is happening in the area.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi tramsey
Thanks for viewing the smoke and fire images and for the comment. It looks to somewhat under control today, so I a bit more relaxed.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent action series! Thanks for sharing.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi UTMike
Thanks for checking out the series on the fire and for the comment.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Nice photos. I do wish you people would stop trying to burn down your state. We get all the smoke up here in Utah. You wouldn't think it would travel that far but it does.

rbmacc Loc: DeQuincy La

Whoa ! That is too close. Great series ! Hope all is well .