Fire Patrol

[Crizz]

I was just offered a fire patrol position for the months of April and May. Never done this before.

Has anyone else had this opportunity? Id love to hear some stories or pointers.

 

[saabtrash]

I did it for two seasons a few years back. Logged lots of hours and had a pretty good time. Saved a couple homes or buildings in the process, kind of a neat deal. I don't know what info your looking for, but feel free to pm me if you want.

 

[navigator72]

fp

I flew Fire patrols for 2.5 summers in Maine. It's fun..... Nothing like a hot, humid day and circling smoke forever waiting for the Forest service to show up. If you have any questions, PM me or just post them here.... and I will do my best to answer them.

Goodluck!

 

[Cardinal]

Served it's purpose as a part-time flying gig. Built a fair bit of time without the mental trauma of intstruction. Had fun, my friends new that the caircraft circling their house everyday at the same time was me, got a a great geographic feel for Southern Maine. Just don't fall asleep, and don't get airsick. On a busy day, after hour number 6 at 95 knots down low in the summer bumps it can get brutal.

 

[Diesel]

I flew fire patrols in maine too. 971 and 972. Flew it for a couple of years. Everybody in the company had to fly it. For the first two years I was the only one that did it. After that I moved to the bigger planes but every once and a while I had to jump in and do it.

Things you need to bring. Especially if it's a dry summer in the mountains. Water, food, and a good walkman. WTOS is the only station up in my neck of the woods. We'd have to do 3 a day.

Fun chasing the logging trucks on the golden road. Some legs i'd take it up high, some I'd keep it on the trees.

Round and round you go till you see an illegal fire or a brush fire from a coke bottle. I'd sit on fire and sit on station for a while. Then you have to lead the fire guys in. Go down that road, stop wait go back you missed the turn, what there is a tree down crap how long will it take to cut it, okay straight ahead, turn right at the next interection. YOU MISSED THE INTERSECTION. back up take a right.

We used to do it float planes so it was good float plane time. You could also land on the water and wait for them to come in. That was much nicer than the 150.

I got a call that there was smoke on a shoreline. So i takeoff head for the "spot". Don't see anything. There are a bunch of guys standing around but try to hide when I'd come up on them. Kept skimming the trees. They had started an illegal fire and it started a root fire. Took like 3 hrs for the fire warden to come in. Sat on the wing of the float plane puttering around the lake waiting for them to show up. UGH

It's good flight time if it's dry. Make sure you get paid even if the flight doesn't go. The company still get's paid for like 70hrs even if they don't fly. You'll notice at the end of the month the fire service fly's their but off to use up the money. Make sure though you get a sallary. It could be a wet summer.

Send me a PM i'm sure I know where your working. And i'm positive I know your boss. For all you other guys where did you work?

 

[Cardinal]

We were 960 out of LEW back in the day. Were you guys out of Rangely? Can't remember the bloody identifier up there. If you later moved on to NetJets I think I talked to you one quiet morning in BTV. The joys of flying an aircraft with the "slow race" mentality - How can i make this take any longer? Windows open, using your hands as ailerons, waking up in a 40 degree bank, listening to the North Atlantic crowd on the high frequencies compain about the ride - Ha! POS radios the Forest Service issued only sometimes worked, reverted to inflight cell phone usage on more than one occasion. The best thing was the hours, 11am-5pm worst case. The perfect complement to being otherwise unemployed.

Top Of Sugarloaf, oh how I miss "The Mountain of Pure Rock"

 

[Crizz]

Actually I'm working in Minnesota. I bet Maine would be fun too.

Good stories guys. Cant wait to start!

 

[A Squared]

WTOS is the only station up in my neck of the woods. We'd have to do 3 a day.

At least you had good music, or it used to be good. haven't listened to it in a couple of decades, but that was by far the best radio station in Maine when I was growing up.

 

[mar]

Who's Marconi?

They had radio back then?





HAH!




It was either that or, "Who said you've grown up?"

 

[A Squared]

Actually, it was Tesla

They had radio back then?





HAH!




It was either that or, "Who said you've grown up?"

As a lifestyle choice, immaturity has worked quite well for me

 

[avbug]

Where in Minnesota? I had the Hibbing contract for a couple of years. I flew it out of Hibbing, and Warroad.

 

[navigator72]

FP

A few years back I flew 982, 962 out of BHB. I only ever found one really good fire (100+ acres). It's fun but sure does get bumpy in a C150 on a hot day.

 

[Diesel]

Cardinal- Yeah i worked out of rangeley then went on to nja. you must have been the guy flying roger's b100 with some older guy.

WTOS the mountain of pure rock. I don't think they have changed their song list for 20 years. They still are the only radio station up there except maybe whom on top of mt washington. The walkman worked great listening to the radio except when you missed the fire patrol calls.

all i can say though is make sure they pay you even if they don't fly. It's very important.

Windows open, air blowing through. Bored out of your gord yeah you'll love it.

 

[groundpointsix]

Where does one look for a fire patrol job? Is employment through the USFS or is it private contractors? What kind of experience are they looking for? I'm assuming this is seasonal work. I'd be interested in doing this for a couple of summers if anyone can provide some leads on where to look.

 

[Rick1128]

A fire patrol out of Northern Maine was my first flying job. Got lucky in that it was the hottest summer on record, so I flew my can off. 990, Sqauwpan, Portage to Allagash and back. Couldn't get any radio stations. The forestry radios at least worked. Good looking woman working the tower at Deboulle. Now it is just a radio repeater. Had to keep a sharp eye out for the B52s on the Olive Branch route though.

Most of the fire patrols are state contracts operated by private operators. Usually FBOs. The contracts are public record and should be available for the state forest service. Then keep on the operators. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that most FBOs use that contract as an encentive to keep their CFIs, as it beats running around in the traffic pattern all day.

 

[blueridge71]

I flew fire patrols for the Georgia Forestry Commission. My patrol area was the NE Georgia mountains. I worked one big fire which involved orbitting and directing men and equipement on the ground. I also reported a lot of fires and probably saved a few houses myself. I really enjoyed it.

Equipment was a C-182 with an ADF for listening to the radio.

I got the job because I knew the full time pilot and he recommended me.

 

[LR25]

I flew 4 seasons with the Georgia Forestry Commission. It was a good time, good equipment.

As far as getting the job, thats another story. I like others knew somebody, its a state position and thats pretty typical.

I would reccomend it, makes you a good pilot. Flying the airplane is secondary, working the fires is primary. Usually involves working with some really great folks.

Not too long ago I remember seeing the Maine Forestry looking for patrol pilots.

Good luck

 

[Cardinal]

Cardinal- Yeah i worked out of rangeley then went on to nja. you must have been the guy flying roger's b100 with some older guy.

Yup. I guess we can add this to the "small world" thread. Still on the Ultra?

 

[Diesel]

Yeah still on the ultra. Too lazy to move to a new plane and the schedule is too good.

You working for colgan now? I see the 1900.

Fire patrols in maine are usually bid on by individual fbo owners. I know a couple of guys that are bidding on fire patrols right now. PM me and I'll give you a list of fbo's.

Also time required is commercial and 500hrs.

 

[Midwest]

Crizz,

Sweet deal, how'd you get hooked up with that gig. I'd take it if I were back home, I love northern Minnesota.

 

[Crizz]

Thought Id get back to you guys.. Just got done with my first day. 9.1 hours and 8 fires later... holy cow. We watched a fire grow from a 20x20 area to consuming a 400 acre area of land. This job is a blast, but tiring. I get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Time for bed .

 

[MalmsteenFan]

I flew Fire patrols for 2.5 summers in Maine. It's fun..... Nothing like a hot, humid day and circling smoke forever waiting for the Forest service to show up. If you have any questions, PM me or just post them here.... and I will do my best to answer them.

Goodluck!

Routes 971 and 990 right here! Awesome time!

 

[Lostdog65]

Thought Id get back to you guys.. Just got done with my first day. 9.1 hours and 8 fires later... holy cow. We watched a fire grow from a 20x20 area to consuming a 400 acre area of land. This job is a blast, but tiring. I get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Time for bed .

Crizz...welcome to the world of aerial firefighting...It's a kick in the pants!

Eric (formerly Lead 5-1)