United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA)

As fires increase in frequency and severity, new tools are making a difference on how many fires started (27,982 this year so far) get large (89 large wildfires are currently burning). Huge props to the brave folks (more than 27,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to wildfires) out there protecting our communities from these fires, including the 22 where evacuation orders are currently in place. Every wildfire starts small, and our system is designed to bring resources to bear the moment a fire is detected. Many thanks to the team at ABC7 News Bay Area, especially Tim Didion, for sharing what we were up to with a capstone project team at Stanford University during the previous academic year. Great job Kristie Park and Chris Copans on explaining your team's thought process on pelletized water for aerial firefighting. (kind of wish they'd shown the boba 🧋 trials images but maybe next time) https://lnkd.in/gBweEWQ3

De Havilland Canada just launched a new progress video on the DHC-515. Take a look https://loom.ly/cpyUZTY

The passage of H.R. 8998 is truly a great win for western and rural America. The provisions will enhance the lives of those who live, work, recreate, and depend on western and rural land. https://lnkd.in/gr99AGJK

Through the persistent efforts of the Wildfire Industry Collective, we're seeing substantial progress in the way the government partners with industry supporting wildland fire management. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly passed the Interior Appropriations Bill. This significant bill includes vital language aimed at enhancing federal procurement forecasting. Specifically, it mandates the Forest Service to actively engage with industry partners like ours, enabling us to contribute our expertise and innovative solutions to address pressing fire management priorities and challenges. Notably, this bill also gives federal wildland firefighters a step in the right direction when it comes to a permanent pay fix. That’s a win for all of us. The Wildfire Industry Collective’s visit earlier this year to members on Capitol Hill was pivotal. It was an opportunity for our members to share their stories, sacrifices, and contributions as dedicated industry partners supporting wildland fire management activities. Your stories resonated! A heartfelt thank you to all our members and partners who continue to unite and advocate for advanced, 21st-century solutions to wildfire management. Your commitment and collaboration are driving us all towards greater achievements.

#NationalFireNews: As of today, July 18, the national #PreparednessLevel has increased to PL5. Significant wildland fire activity is now occurring in most geographic areas with a high potential for additional large wildland fires to emerge. National resources like hotshot crews, airtankers, smokejumpers and communications equipment, are heavily committed and the National Interagency Coordination Center is coordinating requests for these resources with geographic area coordination centers. Active geographic areas are intensively engaged in prioritization of incidents and reallocation of resources as needed to ensure effective incident operations. The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group establishes the level throughout the year. Their decision is dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity, and fire suppression resource availability throughout the country. The five preparedness levels range from the lowest (1) to the highest (5). For more information on preparedness levels visit our website here ➡ https://lnkd.in/gPQAXhWN #FireYear2024 📸 Photo from the #PioneerFire2024 by Southeast Region-Department of Natural Resources.

We regret to share that a Dauntless Air aerial firefighting aircraft working to control the Horse Gulch fire in Helena, Montana yesterday afternoon was involved in an accident that resulted in the loss of the pilot’s life. The aircraft was a single engine amphibious air tanker and our pilot Juliana Turchetti was the only passenger. We are deeply saddened and our hearts and condolences are with Juliana’s family and friends. No one in the surrounding area was injured. We are still gathering information and cooperating with the FAA, NTSB, US Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and local Helena, MT authorities who are investigating this tragic accident. As soon as we have more details, we will keep you informed. 

Fewer large wildfires = less $ spent putting them out = more $ available for forest health initiatives = healthier forests = fewer large wildfires = less $ spent putting them out = more $ available for forest health initiatives = healthier forests = fewer large wildfires… see where we’re going with this? Truly investing in the resources that rapidly attack, contain and put out wildfires while they’re small is an essential part of how we can keep communities safe from wildfire destruction for years to come. Upfront investment in rapid initial attack helps prevent more large wildfires and the devastation they bring. It’s past time to implement rapid initial attack nationwide.