Bush Fire..

[Andyph]

These are a few photos from the last few weeks.

We have had a massive drought and heatwaves

Then we have had the largest fire on record here in NZ and I was evacuated twice.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110392 ... -of-nelson

Some are not the best photos - taken on my phone . My wife thought I should be doing other things than drinking tea and taking photos of Helicopters - Like packing and prepping the house to evacuate..
One fire was stopped about 100 yards away at the neighbors -

The photos of course dont have the smell of smoke - the whop-whop of Hueys and the scream of sirens!

Amazing standing on my deck taking a chunk of these photos..

at it's height there were 23 helicopters and 3 fixed wing fighting the fire

IMG_7354 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8443 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7353 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7476 - Copy by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_20190205_201055 (2) by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7357 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7419 - Copy by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7576 - Copy by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_20190205_193644 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7430 - Copy by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr


Time to go!


IMG_20190205_194634 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7785 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

The police spray paint for USAR that we have evacuated...

IMG_8462 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr


not my photo.. but my house is in there somewhere!


51596760_2205571353104985_4782592697099616256_o by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7383 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr



Red arrow shows my house - photo Ned Dawson - Air Attack Mag



air view by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8371 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8427 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7093 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7056 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7363 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8253 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8466 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8076 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_8039 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7810 by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

IMG_7409 - Copy by ANDY HEAP, on Flickr

[xkekeith]

Excellent post, have some sympathy for your wife’spoint of view !
Saw two fire fighting twin bladed Huey’s scramble last year in California, the sound is unforgettable.

[wallace]

A lovely set of photos, not merely photos of helicopters but the context of the fires as well.

[Wrexham Mackem]

A stunning set, but a dreadful situation to be in. It must be a great relief to come through it unscathed.

[jingernut]

Must be pretty scary at times being in something like that.

Out of interest, do they just call on anyone with a helicopter to help out in situations like that?

[Andyph]

Cheers Gents,

Yes a life changing experience.

Certainly not all local helicopter pilots/ companies were called.
The Hueys came quite a way to get here.

Interestingly the limiting thing was qualified 'air attack' controllers. (think FAC or JTAC but for fire)
Seemed the limit was 5 helicopters per area and they needed a controller in a heli to coordinate each area.
I was amazed at the places they found water - neighbours swimming pool was sunk dry. They were just hovering.. there!

The fixed wing (Air Tractors) dropped repellent