Cold Springs Fire

[Moosemedic]

15:40 Command stating that this fire was started by a campfire.
15:45 Estimating 60 Acres, but anticipating structures lost already

High rate of spread with high potential. Spreading East AND Northeast

Law Enforcement is doing evacuations and many angry residents are bypassing roadblocks and ignoring mandatory evacuations.

Helicopters, SEAT and Type I FW ordered (coming from Grand Junction)

All kinds of resource orders have been placed.

 

[Moosemedic]

3 Type I hand crews
3 Type II hand crews.

Going National now, not just State resources.

15:53 Houses are fully engulfed on Sky View (Nederland)

 

[Spitfire8520]

The following were assigned and used today:

FTAC 3 (154.4150 MHz / DTRS 9106): Primary Fire Attack
FTAC 4 (153.8300 MHz): Structure Protection
CMD (154.3700 MHz / DTRS 9108): Staging
OEM (DTRS 9107): Resource Requests & Updates
Air-Ground 09 (166.9125 MHz): Air to Ground Communications
LAW 1 (155.1450 MHz, 158.8500 MHz, 159.2700 MHz / DTRS 9100): Law Command & Coordination
LTAC 1 (155.8050 MHz / DTRS 9566): Law Coordination

MAC 3, MAC 21, and 8TAC91 were also heard used by some Metro area agencies for Strike Team travel to the area. Agencies that are en route include West Metro, South Metro, Littleton, and Sable Altura. This list is not anywhere close to comprehensive.

Many air resources are on scene, including Tanker 41 and Tanker 02. It sounds like they have a number of other large air tankers inbound for this fire. It sounds like all of the tankers are working out of BJC at this time.

 

[soundchaser]

In addition:
Air to Air: 126.025 MHz

 

[jimmnn]

People living in 174 homes were put on notice early Sunday that they may also have to evacuate at any time.

Jim<

 

[soundchaser]

As usual, the second day of a fire brings all new channels.

It sounds like the FTACs are no longer being used.

VTAC17: Command/Communications (Repeater)
VTAC14: Structure Protection Group
VTAC13: Division Bravo
VTAC12:
VTAC11:

LTAC2: Law Coordination

Air to Ground 58: 169.0875 MHz
Air to Ground 9: 166.9125
Air to Air: 120.4250 MHz
Air to Air: 125.3000 MHz

Two heavy air tankers working this morning. Two SEATS on order.

 

[soundchaser]

Fire continues to grow.

Now using some of the NIRSC frequencies.

NIRSC Cmd 4 (166.6125 MHz): Command 1

Most of the NIRSC tactical frequencies are in use, but I don't know what their function is.

 

[poltergeisty]

Law Enforcement is doing evacuations and many angry residents are bypassing roadblocks and ignoring mandatory evacuations.

It amazes me at how stupid people can be.

 

[jimmnn]

With Type 2 federal team taking over today the new frequency plan should be released soon.

Jim<

 

[natedawg1604]

Yesterday I was in Nederland for quite a few hours. It was my first wildfire scene to monitor up-close, it was basically a mini air show. Unfortunately due to topography and obstructions from trees, I couldn't find a good spot to watch the actual fire. So, eventually I settled on the Barker reservoir where numerous Helos filled water buckets for drops.

Incidentally, AFAIK at present non-residents can't get into Nederland due to all the closures (someone please advise if there is an open route). I suppose you could still park below Magnolia and 119, perhaps you could see some aircraft from there.

 

[soundchaser]

Air to Ground: 169.2000 MHz
Air to Ground: 169.0875 MHz
Air to Air: 120.4250 MHz (Air Attack and Fixed Wing)
Air to Air: 125.3000 MHz (Helos)

 

[natedawg1604]

Air to Ground: 169.2000 MHz
Air to Ground: 169.0875 MHz
Air to Air: 120.4250 MHz
Air to Air: 125.3000 MHz

Are 120.425, 125.3 & 126.025 part of any standard channel plan for Air-to-Ground freqs? Also, they're calling 169.2 "Air-to-Ground 1". However, the NIFC listing in RR shows it as "Air Tactics 03".

 

[soundchaser]

Incidentally, AFAIK at present non-residents can't get into Nederland due to all the closures (someone please advise if there is an open route). I suppose you could still park below Magnolia and 119, perhaps you could see some aircraft from there.

This is a map showing the closures:

Public Information Map

 

[soundchaser]

I took some photos yesterday. Does anyone know what type of aircraft this is? Small jet with 4 engines.

 

[jcbrickwall]

That aircraft looks like a BAE Systems Regional Aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems_Regional_Aircraft

 

[Denverpilot]

That aircraft looks like a BAE Systems Regional Aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems_Regional_Aircraft

Correct. Colloquially known as the "smurfjet" when it was used heavily in passenger service in the 90s.

Folks who've been taking photos at the fire base at KBJC have confirmed some of the N-numbers in use yesterday are former Air Wisconsin aircraft. (One of the photogs is a former Air Winnie pilot...)

 

[soundchaser]

Thanks for the info. It seems like an aircraft that's well suited for fighting fires -- Can carry a larger load than a SEAT but probably more maneuverable than the large DC-10 I saw on the first day.

 

[Spirit]

I see some of these fire frequencies have a mode of FMN, I have most of them set for FM, should I change some of them to FMN? Will I hit them if it set for FM? 120's freq's I have them set for AM. I use a Pro-106, I hope what I wrote makes sense what I was wanting to know.

 

[natedawg1604]

I see some of these fire frequencies have a mode of FMN, I have most of them set for FM, should I change some of them to FMN? Will I hit them if it set for FM? 120's freq's I have them set for AM. I use a Pro-106, I hope what I wrote makes sense what I was wanting to know.

Use FMN. A lot of mode entries in the RR database are wayyy outdated. AFAIK pretty much everything in VHF & UHF should be FMN.

 

[natedawg1604]

Use FMN. A lot of mode entries in the RR database are wayyy outdated. AFAIK pretty much everything in VHF & UHF should be FMN.

EDIT: I meant to say "NFM".