We have all noticed, at one time, when a forest or brush fire is broadcast on TV, that there are ground crews, airplanes dumping red stuff and helicopters dumping water from BAMBI buckets. I have asked efficiency experts and unanimously, the dropping of tons of water on a fire is akin to striking at many bugs with a hammer; deadly against one if your aim is perfect; useless against the other bugs. I examined the techniques used by city fire fighters fighting building fires and two simple threads exist; a fire truck, and multiple hoses allowing for FOCUSED water against the fire. After I did my examination, I contacted experts with my idea and not one said the idea would not worksome thought it was ingenious and another copied the idea and is using it effectively in Los Angeles, Ca. I have contacted the state of California and Arizona and the federal government and they all said they would rather lose any structures and keep the bodies on the ground and their applicable salaries than reduce costs and be faster in putting out these fires. My solution is simple: Using a helicopter the size of a Huey [normal military size for carrying 8 troops], one removes all the cabin materials and places within it a collapsible water tight container. Connected to that container is a water pump[s]. Attached to the pump is a hose with a nozzle that is controllable. A Huey can carry about 500 gallons of water. [water weighs 8 lbs per gal]. With only a pilot and a navigator-water gunner, the huey [ideally paired with 2-3 more] arrives at the fire, and hovers above it, 50-300ft. Depending on the wind, the helo might need to climb or hover off to the sideand with a pump, the water can be forced out over 100 ft horizontally before it begins to focus down. If 3-6 of these specifically equipped helicopters were to arrive at any fire, within hours, the fire is out. The water spray focus would be on concurrently, the area already burned, the area ahead of the burn and the area burning now. ONE helicopter would be the command one and fly at the head of the pack, staying even when its water supply was exhausted. One half of the choppers would constantly be flying back to the water supply and returning so that at all times, 2-3 choppers would be dispensing water. With 1500 gallons dispensed in a focused manner, over a 5 acre area, any fire would be contained within 2 hours. This system can work with or in lieu of the current battalion of ground workers, other helicopters dumping from buckets and airplanes spreading red retardant. The government bodies of AZ, CA and the US Forest service and the cities and towns inbetween will not use this system even though it has been PROVEN to work. THEY won't use it because keeping the number of fire fighters employed is more important than putting out fires. THAT is a fact. |
