Posted by FYI (68.127.51.44) on June 14, 2010 at 06:22:55:
SENATOR FEINSTEIN TAKES TESTIMONY FROM TOM TIDWELL, DIRECTOR U.S. FOREST SERVICE
As Chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Sub-committee on
the Interior and Environment, Senator Feinstein held a hearing
last week to take testimony from Tom Tidwell, Director of the
U.S. Forest Service. Federal aerial firefighting response to the Station Fire,
the worst wildfire in Los Angeles County (160,000 acres, 2
firefighters killed, 100 structures destroyed) was discussed.
Tidwell's testimony was not very convincing.
Night vision goggle flying was also disucssed. There is
mounting pressure to have the Forest Service use night aerial
firefighting. Los Angeles County Fire Dept., Los Angeles City
Fire Dept., San Diego Fire & Rescue helicopter pilots
fight wildfires at night.
For the last minutes of the hearing the Senator asked
Tidwell about the Forest Service's intention to purchase
$1.5 B to $2.5 B of new air tankers. The Forest Service
choice is the Lockheed C-130 J with a MAFFS II tank
system. The aircraft is expected to cost $90 M each. The
MAFFS II cost is additional.
Senator Feinstein asked Tidwell when the Forest Service
would issue a report on the C-130 J ? Tidwell replied that
it would be available at the end of 2010.
Veteran aerial firefighters who know about the Federal system say there
is no funding available for the C-130 J.
Bloody stupid....