A DROP IN THE BUCKET
Law enforcement agencies train to fifight forest fifires
ROUNDLAKE >> Fighting forest fires is no different than a successful military operation, sometimes requiring fine- tuned coordination between air and ground forces.
In a first- ever initiative, state police and New York Army National Guard helicopters teamed up with state forest rangers Wednesday morning to practice dropping huge buckets of water on targets near Round Lake airfield, off Route 67.
With a hot, dry summer possible, officials want to be ready in case such efforts are needed in remote forest locations throughout the region.
“Lightning and campfires are the most common causes of forest fires,” said Lt. John Solan, who supervises rangers in Saratoga and Washington counties. “Fire conditions are about average right now. With a dry June and early July, we could have an active period in late July and August. Two or three weeks of dry weather can make a big difference. It could swing either way.”
Last year, state police helicopters responded to two forest fires —one at Hickory Hill in Warrensburg and another on Sleepy Beauty, on the east side of Lake George.
Thursday’s drill was the first time National Guard choppers took part in such training exercises.
Their crews flew UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, while state police pilots flew their Bell Huey II. The units are based at opposite sides of Albany International Airport.
Dozens of spellbound fourthgraders from Central Park International Magnet School, in Schenectady, watched as water cascaded more than 150 feet
from choppers hovering overhead. While helicopter crews and forest rangers benefited from the practice, the drill also inspired students about potential career possibilities.
“I’d liked to be a pilot,” said 11-year-old Umesh Ragoobeer. “I learned how important it is to put out fires.”
Classmate Jahlon Civitello said watching helicopters up close was a good science lesson in mechanical energy.
Each bucket carries up to 750 pounds of water.
“Think what that does to contain or eliminate a fire,” National Guard Col. Richard Goldenberg said.
However, filling up and delivering such loads isn’t easy, said Sgt. Kathy Humphries, a state police pilot.
“Every fire is different,” she said. “There’s different terrain. Sometimes we make two or three passes before dropping on a hot spot. Timing is very important.”
Each helicopter has a maximum total weight load capacity.
Buckets may be adjusted to carry 70, 80 or 90 gal- lons of water depending on the sitation.
At remote high altitudes where fuel is especially critical, a chopper carries less water.
“It’s a constant tradeoff,” Humphries said.
To firefighters on the ground, any help is invalu- able. Rangers in the woods use radios to let pilots know where to release their deliveries.
“The forest ranger on the ground has the best knowledge and understanding of the threat,” Solan said. “Our objective is to keep these fires small.”