Sometime Friday I after surveying our latest round of fires. I mention
to my right seater that we desperately need a TFR. We have five fires in
"close" proximity to Ola, ID. Visibility was fair to poor, we had
ordered everything we could get our hand on in the air. This was 3
C-130s, 3 P-3s, 3 helos(one sky crane), one lead, and the
air-attack(us). At any given time there were six or so of the above in
the air. Three on scene three orbiting. It was a zoo. Ground crews
scrambling to stop the fire. Air tankers trying thiner best to help.
That day 93,000 gallons of Retardant was dropped.
The largest of the fires was 1000 acres by the time we saw it early
Friday Morning. It grew to 10,000 by the afternoon, yesterday it was up
to 25,000, by the time we landed this afternoon it was over 50,000.
Priory this morning was keeping the communications relays (FAA and BLM)
and lookout tower on top of Squaw Butte from burning. We succeeded. This
afternoon as the fire heads for Sweet, ID the priority is stopping it
from heading that way. Fighting a fire is like herding cats. You can't
win until they (the fire) want you to.

So what about the TFRs. Day one pretty small. Day two we made it longer.
This morning we made it longer and taller.

It is kind of interesting being on the other side of the coin. The TFR
is for our protection and yours. There are a lot of airplanes doing non-
standard maneuvers in the TFR all talking to each other. The last thing
we need is for an un-known to go through....

Stay clear of those fire TFRs they are not there to annoy you....
Michelle P