BC Mack Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 thanks B.C. very impressive tanker! just wished our lame ass goverment would put some of these together so we didnt have to demend on our friends to the north, thankfully they fly better than the motorhome driving bunch drive LOL!actually...your gubbermint finally got off their asses and are building up the heavy airtanker fleet again.... private contractors operate the DC10s; some DC9's & Avro146's started up this year... but to add to the C130's of the National Guard with slip in tanks there is a fleet of up to 10 former Coast Guard C130's being converted to full airtankers, and I just read parts from the bankrupt Evergreen 747-100 will be used to build a newer 747-400 tanker...up north we just have the L188 Electras, Convair 580's and the Canadair CL415.someone figured out the fires are getting bigger and the floatplanes and choppers just can't put down the volume the heavy machines can...stay safeBC Mack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 just a note to let you guys know i'm still here! but things are getting ugly!!!! just got in the house helping mobilize equipment . just got done getting a d7 on a lowboy to go to omak the city is threatened strong northwest winds reversed several fires (wind had been out of the south) fire has jumped hwy 97 and heading south we lost long distance calling,cell phones and 911 so fire districts are working as dispatch centers for emergency calls. we have red flag warnings for the next 3 days for wind and low humidity oh and the winds are susposed to keep changing directions. all logging and heavy construction shut down so equipment can be used for fire use. right now so far im in the doughnut hole all fires are a safe distance from the ranch and my cattle pastures. thanks for the thoughts and prayers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 hang in there if i were there i would lend a hand 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 http://www.goheroes.us/last-alarm/3-firefighters-killed-near-twisp-washingtonGearhead this anywhere near you??? 1 Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 RandyI just checked the atlas.. Rob is in Tonasket on US 97, north east of this area by an airline of about 25 miles.Hopefully he is still all right.. Our prayers are with the familys of the fallen fire fighters as well as the whole region.Brocky 1 Quote Brocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Gearhead, private message me your cell phone number when you get a chance. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Guys I still here, the deaths were in a fire 3 fires west of me, bad deal killed 3 burnt a 4th. been on the dozer for 16 hours then got toned out with the tender, tonasket was threatned (evacuated) wind shifted and so far so good there. then toned to a false alarm 25 miles from tonasket in our dist. (loomis) tonasket is ok for now so i'm going to catcha nap and see what happens in the am. shits not good here, my doughnut hole is getting smaller. if we get past the forecasted high winds ( with mid day reversal ) our themp will drop 15 degrees and humidity should climb above 20%. post more when i can gearhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 get some rest while you canbe safe 1 Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Can't even imagine the destruction. Stay safe!Having rain here today and do need some but you need it more. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 where is today`s tinder box report 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 dunno about the report but it was on the telly last night in north Queensland Australia Australia has sent a plane load of fire men to help (dunno how big the plane load is could be 3 or 300) I hope the fire is under control before they get there Stay safe everyone involved Paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I was trying to stir gearhead up` hoping they are still ok out there. many thanks to oz for sending help no matter how few .i`m not hearing of any of the rest except canada jumping in 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gearhead204 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 23, 2015 just caughing and spitin dust 12+ hours pushing fireline headed for the shower chat when i have more time gearhead 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-summons-firefighters-from-australia-and-new-zealand-to-battle-blazes-20150821-gj57cj.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 just caughing and spitin dust 12+ hours pushing fireline headed for the shower chat when i have more timegearheadunderstood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 well today was spent giving the national guard boys directions on where to find rural homes in our area to give level 2 (fire is close get the stuff you want packed and be ready to leave)notices too. and preping areas for firefighters to find water fills and meeting with emergancy management folks. It dont look like we are going to avoid the fire in our fire dist. its 9 miles southof us now it moved 3+ miles yesterday but very little today so far but forecasted for more south winds tomarrow the fire split last night so we now have 2 fronts to worry about. thats all i have for now, gearhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 1958 F.W.D. Posted August 25, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted August 25, 2015 Prayers being sent your way. Damn I wish I weren't so far away, me and the FWD would be there to help you. 4 Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39 Baby Mack Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 As Randy said, prayers being sent your way!RonSent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Rob, if you have not seen the news- Australians and New Zealanders are on the way!!http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/25/okanogan-wildfires-australia-firefighters-arriving 1 Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks for the post, i talked with e.o.c. yesterday and they said they would be in place by the end of the week,in the a.m. im going over to the west flank of the fire to the cat line to help a buddy of mine get his track chain back on after breaking a pin. Then source new track chain for him to see how fast we can swap out for new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 thanks for the offer,but we really need flying tanks!and the weather to fly them in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 spent yesterday changing out tracks on a d5h started about 2pm (after our parts run to western washingtion 5 hr each way) finished up at 9:30 last night new chain and pads had to cut down some lgp pads as they didnt have enough 20" pads in stock to finish the job. while waiting for our parts runner to show up I fixed a few items neurtral start,back up alarm, serviced machine, and welded patches on the thin spots in the blade corners. This machine had been on the fire lines for 14 days stright working 16hr. shifts, it was time for some tlc. its back out again this morning punching fire line. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 looks like the weather MAY change to help youas always-be safe 2 Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 guess you guys are still hangin ln there does it look like your imiadiate area will be missed. or is it getting really close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Carlot: My imiadiate area is most likely safe, I live in a green belt here in the valley, flying sparks and burning debris is a concern for us as it might land in a hay stack or blow inside of an open building. A bad senareo for us would be continuied strong south winds. or the loss of power that would affect out irrigation abilitys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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