Do you feel they should send up more black hawks to fight huge forest fire out of control?

PV2 Violet Case — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 23:55:52 -0400

For two day now the dnr , fire department and others have been trying to put out a huge forest fire up here along the Canadian border. There was also one that held up Interstate I29 it seems to be ok for now. But then another fire began over by the Wanaska area. Our trees are going and most gone. At the last tally it was up to 6000 acres of beautiful forest. They have two blackhawks up here helping do you thing we need more help. I has now also spread over to bemis hill which is about 4 miles from me here. I have not worked outside and evacuation warnings were posted yesterday and the day before. We could really use some help up here. Grand Forks is farther down by 2 hrs but that is where the border drones are hope it doesn't make it that far. We never got the rain they was hoping for. Better stock up on TP and paper cause before long we will run out of resources for it. 6000 acres so far and still going what do you think I can add more picture from local people at how bad it is if you want.

http://braddokken.areavoices.com/2015/04/17/palsburg-fire-friday-morning-update/

http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Fires-Near-Roseau-And-Warroad-299944961.html

http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Emergency-crews-battling-wildfire-in-Beltrami-state-forest-299915261.html

Palsburg Fire Friday morning update | Compass Points

Here’s the Friday morning update on the Palsburg Fire in Beltrami Island State Forest from the Minnesota Incident Command System, which is coordinating fire response:

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 4:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 04:21:49 -0400

Absolutely! We need to save the forests.

This Nation has the resources. Has a state of emergency been declared? Once that happens I thought outside help could be requested?

Hopefully the right thing is done.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 18 at 2015 4:47 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 04:47:18 -0400

At Fort Lewis (JBLM) we had 2 months straight of bambi bucket missions fighting wildfires. I know there is bureaucratic red tape and hurdles that have to be made, aviation units need to be off cycle, a high % of pilots need to be RL1 qualified, etc etc. Aviation is one of the most complicated and expensive branches and only makes sense after you spent a career with them asking a million questions.....lol

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 18 at 2015 8:32 AM

PV2 Violet Case — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 08:32:58 -0400

I was just talking and sharing news on facebook with friends and the one news said that two black hawks were sent up. But it has covered 6000 acres of forest and land. They have Roseau and Lake of the woods fire departments, DNR and I think border patrol and homeland on it. It was home land security that sent the messages for us to be prepared for evac if necessary. I always have two totes for me full and plenty of water. Bemis is only about 4 maybe 6 top miles from me. But it has nt been showing any signs in sight. I just pray it is out .

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 18 at 2015 1:31 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 13:31:23 -0400

just got told they have it 60% undercontrol up close to us but the wind is beginning to pick up so I will keep faith that they can keep it without anyone getting hurt
thanks all

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 19 at 2015 12:59 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 12:59:03 -0400

Thank you all last night when at grocery store a lady said that her and her husband saw a fire by the big Marvin windows plant and no one out there she said she was going to call 911 and her husband said stay out of it. And he stayed in the car I guess while she was shopping then she went to the counter I was in line behind her and she said I feel guilty I should have called 911 as soon as I got in here. I said are you ok. She told me I could feel steam coming from my ears had to hold that skeleton in the closet (PTSD) signs. I was getting ready to cal 911 and they were on the way so that would have blocked off the one road to the lake and the one to Canada North away from the other fires if needed. I got home to the homeland security eva notice the other fire in the woods started back up again. Any one who did say a prayer I thank you we got rain last night and I think still sprinkling today. But the smell is aweful out there I am wearing a mask if I need to go out. But they did bring up two black hawks and possibly one at the Marvins airport but the fire last night also could have blocked the road to the airport too cause that was the same road too. But God is real to me and I believe He answered our prayers or helped. have a good day I have been not doing so well for days only cat naps to keep eye out here.

Response by Sgt Fred Lawley made Apr 27 at 2015 8:34 PM

Sgt Fred Lawley — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:34:23 -0400

Yes I believe they should send more. Why don't they save as much of the forest as they can?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 27 at 2015 11:19 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 23:19:14 -0400

The state must exhaust its resources, then go to EMAC, then NG. If the Governor request federal help and declares an emergency , then FEMA or US Forestry takes lead agency. They request DoD forces through the Joint Staff via Mission Assignment. DoD then cuts Title 10/14 forces.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 30 at 2015 12:44 AM

PV2 Violet Case — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 00:44:17 -0400

Well I was told by one of the guys working out in the forest that they had two up working hard and had another one at the airport but it was a bit different looking they said. I have not heard any more other then my friends who work at the forestry and dnr office told me we lost total close to 6000 acres in all between all the different fires. I was so odd that they were scattered so far apart from one another. Almost as tho they were lit on purpose. If they would have been closer together I could have seen where as windy as it was that it could jump. I guess one was out they watched it 3 days and we got 2 days rain and 1 day of snow and it started up again. But they caught it. It was the worst smell for no houses or buildings burning. I smelt a lot of fires but nothing like that before, because my neighbor is a veteran and has a bobcat and helps with it and he will come to borrow the use of my old wringer washer outside at times to wash and wring out the fire clothes. But this time it was different and now he is down sick. I thank you all for you thoughts on it too, I have not heard about the wild life yet. Not sure how they all could have gotten out. I used to have deer and bear come in my yard. I dont see that as much anymore.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 27 at 2015 8:22 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:22:01 -0400

They should utilize national resources cross agency as much a possible. That having been said, as an aviator I can tell you that you can't just send all the Blackhawks within 1000 miles to put out fires. The aircrews have to be fire trained, bucket trained, and who knows what else trained, downed aircraft in a fire? So, it would be a big multi-agency cluster, with budget battles and turf battles. Probably why it isn't happening.