I camped out last night on a ridge in good conditions, then this morning.....not so good. The flight home was interesting, never actual IFR conditions but pretty close the entire 140 miles. Very familiar country, so flying a bit lower then normal got it done.

We have the big Idaho Engineering Lab out in the middle of the desert, and right on the sectional it says "pilots are REQUESTED to fly above 6000", which I have always done in the last 40 years over the place. Today was a bit different, and I stayed directly over the state highway that passes through the site, sure as hell not over the more sensitive areas out there. The 2 lane road is being worked on, (even early Sunday morning) with long delays, pilot cars,one lane and wash board, and I just did a crane job in Mackay last week forcing me to drive it. Today, flying over the construction mess and delays, was fantastic

Great post Robert!

Just got back from an instrument proficiency flight. Flew close to the plume from the wood head fire in Oregon that’s filling McCall with smoke.

Snag Canyon fire near Ellensburg WA 2014. Notice the puff of smoke from the lead plane to show the tanker pilot where to start the drop.


"Fire in the hole" Washington DNR explosive fire line crew.

Wrapping a snowmobile shelter with special heavy duty foil to protect it from the advancing Booth West fire. Santiam pass in Oregon.

IMC all the way from McCall to Susanville In smoke at 12k
Picking up some rappellers and taking me back to Idaho.

My home was right at the edge of the TFR, they changed the TFR one day and there was a gap of a couple hours, since the fire was about 3 miles west, north, and northeast of the house I wanted to get a better look. By this time it was about 50% contained, looked pretty ominous a few days. I was told to evacuate 3 times.

Grizzly Creek fire, near KGWS

Some Historical quotes, the original Smokey Bear on a Piper Cub in 1944, and A PB4Y floating in Diamond Lake, OR. They float real well when the fuel tanks are empty The story of the PB4Y in the lake https://mailtribune.com/lifestyle/snaps ... amond-lake

Excellent folks, this thread is becoming a favorite! I’m learning and learning ....

Thank you.