Floyd wrote on Oct 31, 2007 9:14 PM:Yes, the airplanes were grounded due to the winds but Copter One was working and fighting fires while the planes could not fly. And the Navy helicopters that could have been used were not available until CalFire waived the rule requiring spotters, showing just how unnecessary the spotters really are.

Mr. Diaz wrote on Oct 31, 2007 10:31 PM:Estimated Editor: While everyone seems to be perplexed with the magnitude of the fires and the so called natural causes of the Fire as if they were inevitable, there is an overdue analysis that need to be made to prevent and correct the deficiencies that lead to a rapid extension of the fires and the inability of SDFD to block and minimize, control and contain the fires before they spread to urban populated areas. Yes there are a group of things that could have been done to minimize this catastrophe and is not circumscribed to the lack of spotters inside of military or private contracted aircrafts to combat fires. For Example: Lets subdivide divide this analysis into A) FIRE Department Policies that affected the Firefighters response to the fires. B) Lack of coordination between government agencies C) Lack of budget to rehabilitate SDFD as stated by the retired Fire Chief Colman back in 2006. A) Policies of SDFD that contributed to fire spread: 1. When a house is 30% burned they will not extinguish the fires and move to the next houses to protect them from fire situation. Is this a real policy of something adopted during this overwhelming situation? 2. Use of back fires as a method to combat fires. Why SFSD need to start back fires while Santa Ana winds were still blowing. We saw it on TV how some back fires were started to consume the fuel form the fires. NOT A GOOD POLICY UNDER WINDY CONDITIONS.The case in Horno fire where a fire started as a back fire went out of hand. 3. How does SDFD train his men regarding WILD FIRES? Do they train them in coordination with the military? Does SFSD trains military personnel in combating wild fires? What prearrangements weren't made between military and SDFD? C)LACK OF BUDGET ON SDFD TO MAKE DE FIRE DEPARTMENT READY FOR THIS CRISIS: Combating the ground fires, require Heavy Equipment; Dousers, Big Turcks to dump gravel, 6 wheelers special vehicles capable of throwing water at 300 feet( like the ones used to control protesters. Where is all this equipment and why SDFD hasn't pre coordinated with Military to acquire some of it from Marine Corp or Army. Cross training between urban fire fighters and Rural Fire fighters. Placement of necessary water refilling stations to combat a fire with this magnitude. COORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES DURING THE FIRE: HOw Many Aircraft the San Diego Fire Department needs to have to address rapid fire spread? 10 15 20. The magnitud of the fire should dictate but the more the better why keep the numbers low? Why Military not training with FIre Department on this realm ? Why they don't know where to get the resources when they need them? Who is supposed to approve the use of this aircraft and how can this be facilitated in case of emergency? Accountability of how many firefighters are needed in a situation like this and coordination with neighbor cities and States. Accountability of "Fire breaks" and their yearly maintenance around urban complexes. Areas of clean brushes 150 meters from house complexes should be mandatory by state and city regulations. If I'm not a fire fighter but can put together this list this should tell you that these are a lot of common sense ideas that can be put in place. And should be investigated to find out why they were not in place before the Fires. Ex Marine

Should have learned in '04 wrote on Nov 1, 2007 4:22 AM:Jim Trageser, you give the gov't. way too much credit. You see, if folks don't complain, talk, blog, write, etc., the gov't wouldn't have any reason for analysis or change. I support and trust the fire troopers, but not those that run the troops.

Reardon wrote on Nov 1, 2007 9:44 AM:If one spotter could be used for multiple platforms on Wednesday, why did Cal Fire think it was un-safe on Monday? If Chopper One could make 90-100 water drops on Monday, flying for nine hours and using three rotating crews, why did Cal Fire keep most Navy helos on the ground? Fires cannot be "fought" -- they can only be managed, defending what can be defended on the margins, but it only lasts four days because the Santa Ana winds only las four days. It is crucial to keep the small fires from becoming huge -- and that can only be done in the beginning when winds are the highest and assets are the lowest. Existing assets must be used quickly because it takes days for huge borate bombers to come in from other states. Mistakes made in the initial stages of the fire cascade into fires sweeping to the coast.

Oh Jim wrote on Nov 1, 2007 5:21 PM:You actually believe the winds were too high for the big planes to fly? You are dead wrong. They should have been up in the air on Sunday and Monday and probably 50% of the fires would have been stopped and/or contained. I live here and the wind throughout the county on those two days was workable.

Rick wrote on Nov 3, 2007 6:40 PM:Why shouldn't we know what our representatives in the government have to say about issues such as fighting fires? The AP should absolutely have included the views of Brian Bilbray. Elton Gallegy. Dana Rohrabacher.

Perplexed wrote on Nov 5, 2007 7:58 PM:Again, San Diego residents prove their complete ignorance of aviation related subject matter. "Oh Jim", you go fly in 60 knot winds over heat that counteracts lift which is required for flight. When we find whats left of you on a hillside in the middle of no-where, we'll be sure to tell you "I told you so". Same goes for the rest of you Monday Morning quarterbacks.

Reardon wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:40 PM:To Perplexed: Copter 1 of the Sd Fire Department didn't get the word about the winds. They flew 90-100 water-dropping and rescue missions on Monday, a total of nine hours, with three crews. Please advise.

Reardon wrote on Nov 6, 2007 5:46 AM:They did get the word. They flew from an airport that did not have high winds to areas with acceptable levels of wind. Second, it's a rotorcraft with greater tolerance to heated air than that of fixed wing aircraft.