Bowers Field, WA | This past August, we had the treat of watching aircraft incoming and leaving DNR’s helibase during the Snag Canyon Wildfire.  As Photographers, we are often taking multiple shots to get that “one” great photo.

Here are few of those “shots” we took while hanging at the Snag Canyon Wildfire one fine summer day…..

BLACKHAWK WAITS FOR ORDERS

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A Blackhawk waits on the tarmac for an assignment.

 

ROTOR COMING IN FOR A LANDING

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This small rotor is coming in for a landing but first he must drop the bucket down on the pad before landing.

 

ROTOR 8 READY AND WILLING

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Rotor 8 on the pad.  Couldn’t help but capture the smoke hanging in the atmosphere in the valley.  Great photo opportunity.

 

ROTOR O  WITH BUCKET, INCOMING

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Rotor 0 incoming first dropping the water bucket then will turn around make a landing.

 

BIG BIRD ON PAD

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A big Bird sits waiting to be deployed, but for the moment it will wait its own turn. Sure is a beautiful piece of aircraft.

 

CRANE READY TO FLY

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A crane that looked pretty amazing on the ground would have been spectacular flying and being used for fire suppression by air.  We were lucky enough for a tour and speaking with its crew and pilots.  They were feeling a little camera-shy so we just pictures of this great firefighting resource.

 

BLACKHAWK TAKES FLIGHT WITH WATER BUCKET

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Two Blackhawks took off together both carrying water buckets to the fire. Great seeing so many on stand-by along with other craft working the incident.

 

AIR FIELD, AIR CRAFT COORDINATION CENTER

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A trailer with A/C, plently of radio antennas and windsock was a dead giveaway where the coordination team had been setup.  In the background, you can see smoke rising on the ridge. This was one of several places where fire had been burning.

 

WAITING FOR RESOURCES TO RETURN BACK TO HELIBASE

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It definitely was a great Summer day for some fire photography.  A #shoutout to all the pilots, firefighters and those directly involved in the fire suppression activities on all fires.  Thank you for your great efforts, dedication and commitment to your communities and Firefighter Family. You all amazingly great. Now, that’s what we call #heroes in action.

All Photographs taken by LR Swenson

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