Images and captions by Josh Stotler
Josh Stotler sent us a collection of images he shot on recent incidents in southern California; San Diego County was dealing with a string of brushfires that kept aircraft and crews busy for a while. Of course there’s not a “season” with a defined start and end in southern California, but it looks like the helicopters and crews with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and San Diego County are off to a good start for the summer.
All photos copyright ©2023 Josh Stotler.
SDG&E Helitanker 729 banks to get a better view of the drop zone while coordinating with ground crews at the Wildcat Fire on the Barona Indian Reservation south of Ramona, California.
San Diego Sheriff’s Helicopter 10 makes a low water drop at the Blackwood incident on the tribal land of the Campo Reservation in Pine Valley, California.
San Diego Sheriff’s Copter 10 surveys the drop zone of the Wildcat Fire in unincorporated San Diego.
San Diego Helitack crew, based out of Gillespie Field in El Cajon, packs up after fighting the Wildcat Fire on the Barona Reservation in eastern San Diego County.
San Diego Helitack firefighter Dakota Armstrong acts as spotter as Deputy/Pilot Tony Webber prepares to lift off from the LZ after the Wildcat Fire in eastern San Diego County.
SDG&E Helitanker 729 makes a drop on target as handcrews cut brush below, trying to halt flames of the Wildcat Fire in eastern San Diego County.
THANKS JOSH for the excellent images … and thanks to the pilots, crews, and other personnel for your quick slapdowns on these brushfires. Stay safe out there.
Josh Stotler is an East County native and freelance photojournalist with over 20 years of fire service experience.
Great Helio shots. Thanks for post. Very impressive.
Everybody needs a little rotor fix now and then!