Yosemite Rim Fire

[HSakols]

The Yosemite Rim Fire is BIG and only at this point about 5% contained.  For those of you considering visiting the park, El Portal, on hwy 140 is perfectly clear.  Here is some incredible video footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_eGiGG1B-Q

[Jim Kasson]

Great stuff! Thanks for posting.

I would think the pilots would have figured out how to disable the "landing gear" warning triggered by the radar altimeter. Or maybe they have learned to tune it out.

Jim

[HSakols]

Yes they want it disabled.  I think that might of been one of the reasons for the video. 
http://fireaviation.com/2013/08/23/maffs-videos-rim-fire/

[Peter McLennan]

Impressive to say the least.  Professionals at work.

HSakols, can you ID the aircraft type?

[HSakols]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/23/idaho-california-wildfires/2691517/

Here is the pilots perspective, piloting a C130

Still the fire is maybe 15 miles away, as the crow flies, but it is perfectly clear outside along the Merced River.  I was just backpacking in areas that are now burning and there is plenty of fuel.  Yikes.  

Here is a C130 dropping some nasty stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZkvETSCq4Q

[kencameron]

Amazing videos. Thanks for these links.

[HSakols]

Now El Portal is socked in with smoke and falling ash.  Here is what the afternoon looked like from the Merced River. 

[HSakols]

This is what El Portal looked like this Spring.

[cybis]

This was the situation yesterday viewed from 35,000 ft. The valley at the bottom of the image is the Yosemite Valley, the fire is north of the valley and moving south. It is HUGE. I've seen more intense fires but I don't recall seeing anything this big.
Full rez here