Since the Alisal Fire started west of Santa Barbara, California on October 11 there have not been many opportunities for firefighting aircraft to work the fire due to the very strong winds. Helicopters have been able to sneak in a few times, but until yesterday and today, October 12 and 13, they have rarely been seen at the fire.
Thanks to a decrease in wind speed, today on FlightRadar24 I saw six large air tankers and two very large air tankers (DC-10s) either over the fire, flying to or from, or taxiing at the Santa Maria airport which is 31 miles northwest of the fire.
These photos are courtesy of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Wednesday morning the Santa Barbara County Fire Department said the Alisal Fire has burned 14,500 acres, an increase of 1,100 acres over the figure released Tuesday evening. The growth over the last 24 hours has been on all sides, with the exception, of course, where the fire was stopped by the Pacific Ocean on the south. Wildfire Today has more information about the fire.
#Alisal Fire – View from Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit’s Fire Copter 308 as it comes in to make a water drop in support of FF’s providing structure protection to a home along the Gaviota Coast. (SBC Video) pic.twitter.com/K8Y3jUpVet
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) October 13, 2021
Thanks for putting out these great photos.
sick