US aerial firefighting hindered by ‘extreme winds’
A fire between Northern Oregon and Washington burned across 3,700 acres as firefighters say weather conditions restricted their ability to tackle the fire by air
Efforts by aerial firefighters to suppress a fire across the Joseph Canyon region in Oregon, US, was hindered by ‘extreme weather’ conditions. Starting on 3 June, the fire spread 3,700 acres across five days and doubled in size on 6 June.
With the fire dissipating in milder winds, three helicopters have been successfully deployed in combating the fire.
Extreme winds prevent firefighting efforts
Matt Howard, Deputy Agency Administrator for Oregon Department of Forestry, said: “This is probably one of the most difficult places to fight fire in Oregon. Joseph Canyon is known for its extreme terrain, communications challenges, and natural hazards.”
Although the high winds prevented aerial firefighting efforts, it is also believed to have pushed back the fire line onto itself.
Khai Trung Le
Khai Trung Le is Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He is an experienced science writer, having previously been embedded in Cardiff University College of Physical Sciences, Innovate UK research council, and the UK Institute of Material Sciences. His writing can also be found on Star Trek and Vice.