DCNR Forest fire Season

[HM1529]

The helo is N658HA. Helicopter Applicators, Inc. from Gettysburg, PA supplies helos for DCNR's wildfire contract most seasons. I recognized the pilot's voice as one I have worked with before. HAI is currently my contractor for work. They do bambi buckets as well as guiding the tanker planes. The three digit numbers are all the fixed wing tankers based at the Hazleton Tanker Base. I think there is a nationwide numbering standard for those since they are nationally deployable resources. I don't know which contractor operates those planes. I had notes on it somewhere, but misplaced them long ago.

Any of the helos with numbers ending in HA working wildfires are most likely going to be from Helicopter Applicators. They have a decent sized fleet.

 

[Dei2Racing]

Air craft also check in on MT Pocono CTAF AM 122.7000 when they are inbound from Hazelton.

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[Steveradio]

The helo is N658HA. Helicopter Applicators, Inc. from Gettysburg, PA supplies helos for DCNR's wildfire contract most seasons. I recognized the pilot's voice as one I have worked with before. HAI is currently my contractor for work. They do bambi buckets as well as guiding the tanker planes. The three digit numbers are all the fixed wing tankers based at the Hazleton Tanker Base. I think there is a nationwide numbering standard for those since they are nationally deployable resources. I don't know which contractor operates those planes. I had notes on it somewhere, but misplaced them long ago.

Any of the helos with numbers ending in HA working wildfires are most likely going to be from Helicopter Applicators. They have a decent sized fleet.

Tonight was hearing 9HA helicopter 8 HA to Tanker Base on 151.175 Air East
also Tanker 463 on Compact talking about 855 and 875 returning not sure if they were working fire in Barrett Twp

 

[Dei2Racing]

Tonight was hearing 9HA helicopter 8 HA to Tanker Base on 151.175 Air East
also Tanker 463 on Compact talking about 855 and 875 returning not sure if they were working fire in Barrett Twp

They were and will be back on it tomorrow. Its probly going to take a while. They were doing extensive testing of the new repeater for coverage. If you pick up highknob you can catch the request for manpower and equipment.

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[Dei2Racing]

From http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php#

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[buckbull]

Dei2racing that says 950 acres its up to 4500 + on the 16 mile fire

 

[Dei2Racing]

The feds don't work weekends to update.

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[jaymatt1978]

159.2850 is used by all forest fire departments on the east coast from Maine down to Florida use this frequency to coordinate between the different states. The PL's are for transmit only

Today heard 159.285 Air to Ground being used with PL 179.9 for the first time.

Edit: It was not DCNR- After further review it was NJ Forest Fire Service I was hearing

159.28500 KA4765 M 179.9 PL DEP 10 Air Fire Air Operations

 

[Dei2Racing]

http://m.poconorecord.com/news/2016...onally-set-officials-say-reward-being-offered

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[mark40]

Update

As I type this @ 1500hrs comms are being set up/tested on DCNR Tac 3 151.295 (HP-1 indicates Pl of 186.2).

They are calling this channel "Tac 1 Repeater"

The base is identifying as "Comms" or "Communications"

A DCNR staff member is driving around doing radio checks on mobile and HT at a variety of locations in the Sixteen Mile Fire area and Bear Town Road area.

They are having good success both mobile and HT, only a handful of spots where HT comms are sketchy.

As noted above, DCNR Tac 3- 151.2950 was set up yesterday and is very active today.
It is sometimes being referred to as Tactical Repeater or TAC 1 Repeater

151.3625 High Knob is still active, but comms have diminished somewhat, having moved to 151.2950

New activity noted on DCNR Tac 6, 151.2725- it was being used for Air/Ground comms.

All frequencies previously noted are active

Crews having a tough afternoon: structures threatened, evacuation of a campground eminent and a crew pulling out in another area.

Ben Russell- Although DCNR Tac 3- 151.2950 is being used, they are referring to it as Tac 1.
Is DB correct? Any ideas?

 

[druhe]

I have TAC 3 151.2950 CSQ simplex, TAC1RPTR 151.2950 CSQ / 159.3450 186.2

What you are reporting is correct

 

[Dei2Racing]

Evacuations taking place

http://wnep.com/2016/04/24/brush-fires-intentionally-set-homes-in-danger/

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[mark40]

151.3625 High Knob is still active, but comms have diminished somewhat, having moved to 151.2950

Units operating in Porter Tsp/Pike County off Rt 402 having difficulty hitting the Tac 1 repeater on 151.295, so High Knob activity picking back up.

All access to Delaware State Park off 402 is now prohibited, and is being enforced by PSP

 

[Dei2Racing]

Pike county is now sending units to stage off 402.Whisky units are on Pike county VFD repeaters directing.

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[Dei2Racing]

http://www.poconorecord.com/news/20...r-twp-being-evacuated-because-of-16-mile-fire

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[buckbull]

Its 2 am and scanner is awfully quiet This prob is a dumb question but do they halt operations at night . The scanner goes crazy during the day but hardly anything at 2am .

 

[Dei2Racing]

159.420 is now in use sounds like instead of compact calling it tac 9 .

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[Dei2Racing]

Its 2 am and scanner is awfully quiet This prob is a dumb question but do they halt operations at night . The scanner goes crazy during the day but hardly anything at 2am .

They cut down to a small night crew. Most doing structure protection. They do use 800 MHz and cell phones too.

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

 

[mark40]

Its 2 am and scanner is awfully quiet This prob is a dumb question but do they halt operations at night . The scanner goes crazy during the day but hardly anything at 2am .

Can't speak for DCNR, but from past involvement; operating in the woods/forest at night is extremely hazardous. They may post a fire watch in certain areas/places to monitor progress or to keep an eye on structures potentially threatened, etc.

 

[mark40]

Update- Monday morning

Lots of chatter this morning on Tac 1 Repeater about the Tankers targeting drops on structures with "FireIce" retardant.

New hit this morning - 9 Hotel Alpha and Tanker 463 coordinating drops on DCNR Tac 9 159.420