Unfortunately, like the various companies and local governments with fleets of firefighting aircraft, it appears that this fire containment system is being stonewalled by bureaucrats within the Forest Service and other federal agencies. F.A.C.S. is already used by residential customers, but can’t seem to break through the barriers of federal inflexibility.
The presentation wasn't made or the company wasn't owned by someone's brother/son/daughter. It'll seem like a great idea when a family member stands to make $5-$10 million off of it..
What I could never figure out is why we can't mobilize the National Guard or other nationally based branches of the military to help knock down these fires before they get so out of control. We already pay these guys and have thousands of helicopters moth balled or on active duty that could be retrofitted with fire suppression equipment.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
the forest service and their stable of attorneys could probably be a bit more effective in the real world if the democrats, and their environmentalist supporters and their lawyers weren't filing suit at the drop of a hat. like the muslims, when environmental lawyers tie up the process with procedural issues, the forest service like many agencies and private companies are forced into a corner. their options become limited.
meanwhile the forests burn, and folks who built in the forest are at risk. forest thinnings might make a difference, and reduce the flow of wood from canada, siberia, etc.
What I could never figure out is why we can't mobilize the National Guard or other nationally based branches of the military to help knock down these fires before they get so out of control. We already pay these guys and have thousands of helicopters moth balled or on active duty that could be retrofitted with fire suppression equipment.
There is some law or policy that states the Government must exhaust all civilian contracted agencies before the Guard can be mobilized. The Government cannot compete directly against civilian contractors for jobs or projects that civilians can handle. That is why convicts aren't used more to build roads or chop weeds.
With the limited time for training that the National Guard has for their primary job, is it really a good idea to divert them into fighting forest fires? The combat engineer units might be able to do it, but not combat arms (infantry, armor, arty) or logistics.
Well, if yer makin' a video to show how world-class you are, and to impress lots of potential customers, you probably shouldn't misspell the word "gluten" so stupidly (0:13).
I noticed that "gluten" typo but then couldn't recall if it was spelled wrong or was it my faulty memory? Because I was thinking about how long would it be until someone starts asking if they have a "gluten-free" version of that stuff.
Nothing in the article or video about application rates, cost per mile of fire line, availability, etc.
I get leery of any anecdotal reports of it being able to put out canopy fires. Is there video of it doing just that? If not, perhaps the company can pay for the product's use on a fire on private timberlands, I'd assume no need for USFS OK then, seeing as how it's been cleared by Dept of Ag. Vidoe of it actually performing as alluded to would go a long way in convincing the public to sway the USFS towards its use. If the USFS has a contract with the retardant company, that will cost $$$ to break in associated legal fees and penalties no doubt.
I'm also very leery of anonymous claims such as this:
Quote
He goes on to explain that, “One Forest Service chief told me that their mission is to fight fires, not put out fires.”
Who is this Forest Service Chief? How high up in the chain was said "Chief"?
If it can be proven to work, in the real world, not just small scale use such as shown, then it seems like a reasonable thing to use it. For now, I remain a bit skeptical.
Geno
PS, living where I do, I may just look into having a can to keep on hand...............just in case. Assuming it's affordable enough for a fixed income household.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
What I could never figure out is why we can't mobilize the National Guard or other nationally based branches of the military to help knock down these fires before they get so out of control. We already pay these guys and have thousands of helicopters moth balled or on active duty that could be retrofitted with fire suppression equipment.
I've been on federal fires where the National Guard has been call on to bolster the ranks of firefighters on the ground or for air support.
There was a big fire in s.w. oregon 15 years ago; half the fire camp I was in was made up of N.G. soldiers turned wildland firefighters (Siskiyou/Kalmiopsis is a beautiful bitch). There are the M.A.F.F.S. systems that convert military C130's into air tankers. It's not unheard of for National Guard helicopters are used for air support and bucket drops. I think the N.G. is mainly called in when other resources get stretched thin.
