Bill Gabbert

Funding for fuels research

Devastating fires over the last three years in California have endangered the limited number of giant sequoias to the point where scientists are cloning the huge trees and planting them farther north where climate change may produce suitable growing conditions. Preliminary surveys found that in a two year period, 2020 and 2021, almost 20 percent of all … Continue reading "Scientists fight climate change by cloning sequoias and planting them farther north"

On November 13 a section of Highway 41 in California was designated as the Gary Helming Memorial Highway. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and Los Padres National Forest Service were among those who attended the dedication Sunday along with a group of family, friends, and co-workers. The Battalion Chief with the Los … Continue reading "Section of Hwy 41 designated as the Gary Helming Memorial Highway"

Today the Government Accountability Office released a report about the difficulties the federal agencies are having recruiting and retaining wildland firefighters. Congress requested the report, but apparently did not ask for recommendations. The 41-page document identifies numerous issues that adversely affect recruitment and retention, most of which are already well known to the five agencies … Continue reading "GAO reports on barriers to recruitment and retention of federal wildland firefighters"

Martin Greenwood sent us information about a short documentary he has released about a group of firefighters responding to a firestorm at the small town of Nerriga, New South Wales Australia December 21, 2019. It uses a great deal of excellent video footage shot by the firefighters and cameras on the engines, as well as … Continue reading "Short documentary about a group of firefighters during a firestorm in Australia"

Late Thursday night just before beginning their state work period the Senate passed a bill that will allow injured or disabled federal firefighters to remain in a 6C enhanced retirement position. They will continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. H.R.521, the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act, … Continue reading "Bill passes to allow injured firefighters to remain in enhanced retirement system"

After a fire or other incident occurs that had an unfavorable outcome, Wildland fire organizations typically conduct an investigation or review to cipher out lessons that can be learned. That of course can be extremely helpful and can reduce the number of similar accidents down the road. But looking at multiple incidents can uncover trends … Continue reading "Forest Service examines 10 years of incidents and fatalities to develop Metareview"

F4U-7 Corsair

At Brown Field near San Diego, Nov. 22, 2022.

Today we have four more photos from the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base — Tanker 31, an F7F-3 (N6177C). The handwritten notes on the back of the pictures say “Owned by Sis-Q Flying Service, Santa Rosa, California.” The photo from October 1971 also says “Aero Union Corp., Chico, California.”