Brush Fire Bear Mt. Bridge Road

[Emscornsnake 36]

This is a Video only, that I have from the command post. Hope you enjoy.

http://youtu.be/mVoljrKETwY

Edited February 24, 2012 by xfirefighter484x
Moved To Appropriate Forum

[X2321 133]

Some photos of the Westchester County police aviation unit dropping water shot from Bear Mt. across the river. http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BH&Dato=20120223&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=302230074&Ref=PH/20-acres-burning-near-Bear-Mountain-Bridge?odyssey=mod|defcon|img|Frontpage

[ny10570 745]

What is the risk vs reward math on these brush fires? It seems like we attack them all with the same vigor. Are there considerations made for the long term accumulation of fire load?

[helicopper 1,050]

What is the risk vs reward math on these brush fires? It seems like we attack them all with the same vigor. Are there considerations made for the long term accumulation of fire load?

I don't think they attacked this one as "vigorously" as they do when structures or other property is threatened. From my perspective, they had limited crews on the mountain and pulled them back when it got dark so nobody would get hurt. They didn't want the fire to get into Camp Smith or beyond the ridgeline it was burning toward so they worked on containing from that direction. Seemed like they definitely did a risk vs. reward assessment.

[mfc2257 464]

I don't think they attacked this one as "vigorously" as they do when structures or other property is threatened. From my perspective, they had limited crews on the mountain and pulled them back when it got dark so nobody would get hurt. They didn't want the fire to get into Camp Smith or beyond the ridgeline it was burning toward so they worked on containing from that direction. Seemed like they definitely did a risk vs. reward assessment.

Were you in the right seat on this job?

[helicopper 1,050]

Were you in the right seat on this job?

Is there a wrong seat on a job like that?

Yup, I was PIC.

[newsbuff 286]

Quick question, I heard mention of something called a UTAC, between 60 control and county cars on scene. What is "UTAC" ?

[helicopper 1,050]

Quick question, I heard mention of something called a UTAC, between 60 control and county cars on scene. What is "UTAC" ?

UTAC are part of the interoperable radio system, specifically UHF tactical frequencies for interagency coordination.

VTAC = VHF

UTAC = UHF

ITAC = 800 MHz

All part of the interoperable radio system plan.

[Dinosaur 844]

I used to hike up there back in the day. The front face of that mountain is pretty rugged terrain. Glad everyone is safe.

Great pictures as always Frank!

[RocklandFires 44]

Time exposure photo taken by New City Fire Chief Ken Flynn of the fire as viewed from Iona Island.

[firedude 985]

Time exposure photo taken by New City Fire Chief Ken Flynn of the fire as viewed from Iona Island.

Nice shot!

From CVFD:

Large Brush Fire, Bear Mountain Bridge Road, Day 1

On Wednesday at around 2pm the Continental Village Fire Department was dispatched to the Bear Mountain Bridge Road In the Area of the Lookout for a report of a Brush Fire. Upon arrival firefighters discovered a large brush fire burning in the woods above the roadway. Members entered into the woods through Camp Smith to reach the fire area. Garrison Fire Department was requested to respond with their atv to assist moving manpower and equipment to the fire. Do to the fire being on cliff like terrain Westchester County PD's aviation unit was called to do water drops with their bambi bucket. Firefighters remained in the woods fighting the fire until it was too dark to operate safely.

Units: 14-1-1, 14-1-2, 14-1-3, 14-2-2, 14-3-1, 14-4-1, 14-8-1

Mutual Aid: 15-1-2, 15-1-3, 15-3-1, 15-8-1, Westchester County PD Aviation, Peekskill VAC Rehab

More info on this fire can be found on CVFD's website, here.

Edited February 24, 2012 by firedude

[PEMO3 523]

Quick question, I heard mention of something called a UTAC, between 60 control and county cars on scene. What is "UTAC" ?

UCALL/UTAC is part of the Nationwide Narrowband Interoperable Communications Channels. UCALL 40/40D is a calling channel and 41 thru 43 are tactical channels with the "D" channels being non-repeater channels. What you hear being used on Thursday was UTAC which I believe was operating off of the Benifield Tower in Peekskill and activated remotely by 60 Control. NYC utilizes the UTAC channels frequently between NY and NJ. Below is the UTAC channel plan. (All frequencies are narrowbanded)

UCALL40 453,2125 156.7 458.2125 156.7

UCALL40D 453,2125 156.7 Simplex

UTAC41 453.4625 156.7 458.4625 156.7

UTAC41D 453.4625 156.7 Simplex

UTAC42 453.7125 156.7 458.7125 156.7

UTAC42D 453.7125 156.7 Simplex

UTAC43 453.8625 156.7 458.8625 156.7

UTAC43D 453.8625 156.7 Simplex

[miami222 62]

Day 1 - We were dispatched around 2 and pulled out at night fall. It was about a 2 miles from the staging area to the fire. Big thanks to Westchester PD for the water drops!

[miami222 62]

Day 1,Call 2- We were called out around 11PM to respond to the Bridge Road for several pockets of fire near the roadway. We responded with Engine 232 and Tanker 11 and hit the spots from the roadway.

[miami222 62]

Day 2 – We were dispatched around 8AM along with Garrison FD to Camp Smith. Luckily the fire breaks held and the wind had died down over night so all we had were hot spots to douse and we cleared around 2pm.

[Dinosaur 844]

How much water do those yellow "aqua jak"'s hold?

Looks alot more comfortable than an old indian can.

[miami222 62]

about 4-5 gallons

[FFBlaser 24]

Wait, that's whats considered proper wild land PPE in the east???

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Wait, that's whats considered proper wild land PPE in the east???

Pants, boots, gloves, helmet....I mean we could get those flannel pajama looking things you left coasties wear...I'd look good in a trojan man helmet I'm sure.

[PEMO3 523]

I was glad to see they got the field comm out and on the road, seemed like an asset if not nice to see it get used. Great call to utilize the UTAC channels to coordinate the job especially since you had that many agencies from so many jurisdictions and disciplines working the scene. Chris, does aviation have the UTAC channels pre-punched in? I know you guys can tune on the fly (no pun intended) to just about any channel but you need the freqs to do it. May be someone from 60 control can answer, what is the delay, if any, to turn on the UTAC repeater from the time of authorization to the time of ready for use and can more than 1 channel be active at a time (e.g all UTAC 40 thru 43 all at once)?

[Emscornsnake 36]

These photos were taken on day 2 of the fire. These units were standing by at the helicopter pad at Camp Smith.

Edited February 25, 2012 by Emscornsnake

[shfd86eng 1]

Nice pics. How long this one take to put out? I remember when i lived in new york when they had the really bad one were it burned under ground i want to say it was in 97 98 or 99 one of those years.

[MoFire390 118]

Good photos, and thanks for sharing. Glad to hear no one was hurt

[SteveOFD 176]

I was glad to see they got the field comm out and on the road, seemed like an asset if not nice to see it get used. Great call to utilize the UTAC channels to coordinate the job especially since you had that many agencies from so many jurisdictions and disciplines working the scene. Chris, does aviation have the UTAC channels pre-punched in? I know you guys can tune on the fly (no pun intended) to just about any channel but you need the freqs to do it. May be someone from 60 control can answer, what is the delay, if any, to turn on the UTAC repeater from the time of authorization to the time of ready for use and can more than 1 channel be active at a time (e.g all UTAC 40 thru 43 all at once)?

PEMO3, I know it is probably a typo, but there is no UTAC40 it is UCALL40.

[38ff 250]

Years ago, Camp Smith had it's own Fire Dept. They used Ex-FDNY apparatus.

[shfd86eng 1]

Which fire was worse this one or the 1999 summer one? I think the 99 one was in my book lol.

[x635 4,066]

Looks like a great job by all!

However, it must suck to have to fight a wildland fire in structural gear!