It is amazing to see all the comments on this chat session compared to all of the other ones that are commenting on the Forest Service, Federal Governement and the firefighters. I agree that this is the most informative reading out of all of them. Being born and raised in Springerville and going on my 19th year of fighting wildland fire for the federal government, I appreciate all of the constructive comments. I will say though after fighting wildland fires on the seige of 2000 in Montana, 2000 Cerro Grande, 2002 Rodeo Chedeski, 2002 Biscuit and this years 2011 Horseshoe 2 fire, to name a few of the large fires, air resources were for the most part ineffective unless being used along with ground resources or on initial attack fires. What is amazing about the CL 415 is that it can haul a lot of water in a short period of time with a water source that is relatively close. But when you are in the southwest there are many limitations when it comes to using air resources; water, terrain and winds to mention a few. In the article that was posted about the CL 415 it was said that there water drops were relatively ineffective in 20+ mph winds. I will say that with all of the equipment, personnel and resources that is available to fight wildland fire there is a place for all of it. For example I am sure that the CL 415 is great in most of Canada and alot of the lighter fuel types in the U.S especially during initial attack. But when you are on the ground with a fire that is spotting one to two miles ahead of itself and has sustained winds that all air resources were grounded, how effective can any air resources be? Oh and I didn't even mention anything about the terrain. But no matter what everyone can try to be an arm chair quarterback. What we should all be talking about is how we can learn, improve and implement our equipment and abilities to fight fire then educate the public on why we do what we do. We will never please everybody with our actions when it come to working for the government but we can improve on how the public sees us as federal employees who are trying to make the right decisions.
