I should first point out that you do not just fly to a forest fire. Notification and plans are made to all the responsible people. When large fires such as these in Okanogan County happen, access is controlled by those trying to fight this natural disaster.

A temporary flight restriction is put in place to keep wandering aircraft out of the area. We ask for special permission so that we can go there and bring back images for you to see. As we make our approach Mark calls on the radio to the “Spur Peak Attack” coordinator, who is flying overhead in an airplane, supervising the work of other aircraft below. He knows we are coming and will set up where and how we approach, making sure that we aren’t going to be in the way of the priorities of fighting the fire.

As we arrive, the specific firefighting helicopter he is working with is departing the area for fuel. Since there are no other aircraft near, the attack supervisor allows us to fly in very close for the pictures you can see in the video.

When the Columbia Helicopters Chinook aircraft returns fueled and carrying slurry (the red powdery fire retardant dumped from his bucket), The attack boss has him make his deposit on top of a historic fire tower and cabin possibly in the path of fire.

This fire we photograph is just one location among miles and miles of fire line. You can see by the wide shots smoke columns churning in the distance. On this day it is reported that the Tripod fire and Spur Peak fire have met and become one. Looking at the power of the flames below it’s hard to identify any difference between them.

Helicopters, bulldozers, engines, water tenders and over 2,000 people are working to contain these fires covering over 75,000 acres. It’s said that the forest is tinder dry and the weather warmer than usual.

My hope is for rain.