Sounds like something for an over-sized pet! But it’s not… It means we are stepping into our most critical time for brush fire season. With all the recent fires one would think we are in the middle of it says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. “Not so. As we head into September and possibly into December we get our Santa Ana Winds.” Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry down-slope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. The winds are known especially for the hot dry weather (often the hottest of the year) that they bring in the fall, and are infamous for fanning regional wildfires.
The two fixed-wing Super Scoopers, which can scoop up 1,600 gallons of water in seconds. They do multiple drops with one load of water and can also drop retardant, says Chief DiGiovanna. To refill, the pilot skims the surface of a lake, reservoir or the ocean, and the plane’s refilling system sucks up a full tank in about 30 seconds.
The big yellow planes can be airborne within five minutes and can stay in the sky for three hours before needing to refuel. Though Los Angeles County leases the aircraft annually from Quebec, where the wildfire season is ending, the planes can be sent to surrounding counties if needed.
This is another great resource in the arsenal for fighting wildfires this season says Chief DiGiovanna.
For Fire Safe tips and information on wildfires visit: http://firewise.org/
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
