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Last additions - Station Fire
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Pyrocumulus2001 viewsWhile I'm not sure this word exists in a Dictionary, it is used commonly used when talking about fires or volcanic eruptions. It is caused by the hot air and smoke combining with the moisture which induces a convection which carries the smoke and ash up to altitudes of 20,000 feet or more.Sep 11, 2009
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Thank You2030 viewsSigns of appreciation, like this one at the top of Lake Avenue, were popping up all over the place. Whether it was here at the entrance to the Sam Merrill Trail, or on someone's wall or fence, homemade signs thanking the Firefighters and First Responders were visible everywhere.Sep 11, 2009
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Skycrane2003 viewsThe Sikorsky "Skycrane" was originally designed for the military. It has interchangeable pods for a variety of uses. We were particularly interested in the water tank pod today. It can hold 2,650 Gallons of water and you see it here, dumping all 2,650 Gallons on the fire as it moves up Sunset Ridge.Sep 04, 2009
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Firehawk2321 viewsThe Sikorsky S-70 "Firehawk" is the civilian version of the U.S. Army's popular Blackhawk Helicopter. This Firehawk from L.A. County Fire can carry 1,000 Gallons of water.Sep 04, 2009
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K-Max2073 viewsThe Karman "K-Max" Type 1 Heavy Lift Helicopter. Called the "Air Tractor", I call this the Gooney Bird because it looks and sounds funny. It has two opposing rotors on top and no tail rotor. It can carry 700 Gallons of water.

Sep 04, 2009
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Firehawk Drop2391 viewsL.A. County Firehawk makes a drop along Sunset Ridge.Sep 04, 2009
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DC-102409 viewsThe McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is classified as a "Very Large Air Tanker" by Cal-Fire. Ya think !

Originally delivered as a civil passenger plane, the DC-10 can carry a whopping 12,000 Gallons of Fire Retardant. It can drop it's load in 8 seconds in a line 300 feet wide and one mile long!
Sep 04, 2009
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Air Show2177 viewsThats what they call the Aerial Assault on the fires. And Saturday was the "Air Show" in Altadena. Aircraft of all types and sizes were brought in. It was a photographers dream, but a homeowners nightmare.

Here, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 makes a retardant drop over Brown Mountain. Can you imagine diving a Jumbo Jet through the canyons of the San Gabriel Mountains? It was incredible.
Sep 04, 2009
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Orion2410 viewsThe Lockheed P-3 Orion, was originally developed in 1959 during the Cold War as a Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Converted to an Aerial Tanker, it can carry 3,000 Gallons of Fire Retardant.Sep 04, 2009
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Too Close To Home2561 viewsSaturday Evening, 9:07 PM, the Fire races up Brown Mountain. It was very intense. Those of us who stayed Despite Mandatory Evacuation Orders stood and watched.Sep 04, 2009
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Sunset Ridge2388 viewsSunday, 1:00 PM, the Fire continues it's assault up the back side of Sunset Ridge. Here, the fire is burning along the path of the Mount Lowe Motorway (Sunset Ridge). Sep 04, 2009
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Red Sky In The Morning . . .2363 viewsSaturday morning, 5:52 AM, the fire was still burning fiercly. These flames are coming up from the Arroyo Seco approaching Brown Mountain.Sep 04, 2009
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