This article was first published at Fire AviationYesterday July 9 a lead plane and a large air tanker had a close call while on a retardant dropping sortie on the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park. There was virtually no wind over the fire most of the day and the area was smoked in causing very poor visibility making it impossible for air tankers to drop on the fire. But by 6 p.m. conditions had improved and at about 6:10 p.m. a lead plane was leading Tanker 103, an MD-87, over a target when they saw a falling tree branch above the lead plane. Large columns may rotate as they rise and in extreme cases can actually become a fire tornado. As of late morning today, July 10, the Washburn Fire has burned about 1,800 acres in Yosemite National Park.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 11, 2022 01:33 UTC