Totally understand now. Thanks yo both of you.
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Winds! They were hitting 40+
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From FlightAware24, it looks like two SuperScoopers are on the fire using Loon Lake.
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Yes, they were available in Chico, so AA ordered them up a couple hours ago. Either Loon lake or Hell Hole are very quick turns from the fire.
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Wow, I’m surprised Loon Lake is long enough to allow the aircraft to scoop-n-go. Thanks for the updates.
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I would be more worried about all of the rocks just below the surface
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I do not know how deep they go…but hitting a rock or anything would ruin their day for sure.
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***Edited: Sorry, I was mistaken and have edited below.
Not much actually. Only need about 6-10’ depth and the length about 2000’, just shy of a mile. Plus a little more room for approach and departure depending on how high they need to lift. They don’t need a straight shot and can turn with the curvature of the water source so rivers are easily used.
Loon Lake at the easiest run is a 1.5 miles long, longer if you turn.
Had a buddy fly those 15+ years in Canada, highly skilled pilot, crazy as S*&%.
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Good day to learn things. Thanks for the details, really thought they needed more distance, but if you have the power and the lift, it gives you a lot more to work with regards to the performance of the aircraft. Thank You
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Loon Lake is about 1000 feet (=/-) higher that the fire elevation. Depending on the wind direction this afternoon, if they were making an east to west run on the lake, they were only 2-3 minutes out from the fire, and dropping 1000". This is beyond the prefect scenario for the scoopers. They would then climb back to the lake elevation when they were empty and light.
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Sorry, I had to update my original post. I had the 300’ long mixed up with 300’ wide per his requirements 5 years ago. But, he said that the risks often required them to run in much tighter spaces with shorter distances, just not always a full load.
Just wanted to make sure I kept the record straight.
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Thank you for the last couple of updates on the scooper’s flight parameters. Everybody chipping in a little bit at a time, helps me personally build a better understanding of the aircraft’s flight characteristics. And really do try to build my knowledge of the types, and our case fleet of aircraft to be utilized as a tool. Who thought, we would see SEATS, but we needed all the resources we could muster this season, and they’re continuing to perform their job well throughout the western states. Thank You
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Is this still being ran locally, or is there a team assigned? Additionally, is there an IAP or any kind of paperwork showing resources assigned?
Today’s maps are saying 1,960 acres.
Thanks for the update Chief. I live close and not much intel out there.
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Where’s base camp located?
Main ICP is at the high school in Georgetown. Spike camp where most of the resources are staying is at sunset and fashoda campground in the crystal basin.
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For those of you who don’t have access to REAL intell, i.e. an IA shop, expanded dispatch, or a GACC, THERE’S NOTHING AVAILABLE TO FILL ORDERS!!! The only thing left are IA resources, and even then they’re at drawdown. They’re even using jumpers and forming squads just so they can get boots on the ground. And to dphillips, when you can’t stop a 5 acre fire even when you have multiple air tankers and even VLAT’s, and the fire is blowing right through the retardant line, do you really thing that any amount of engines, crews, dozers, etc. will make a difference?
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There has been one other fire maybe even two other fires in the state 
, possibly bigger, more deadly and more threatening fires? It’s called priority. They don’t have the resources to tackle that canyon right now. And a million gallons of retardant won’t help if said wind event picks up and blows spots miles.
And you should know, you don’t put wildfires out, you stop them. They aren’t going to “put this out” in that canyon, it would be excessive effort and excessive risk. They are probably dozing/cutting line with the limited resources available, as I type to try to stop it when/where they can?
*edit I was a bit rude 
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