NTSB report finds human error caused deadly California helicopter collision

In its final report released on Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board stated that an S-64 Skycrane's crew entered a restricted air zone on August 6, 2023 at too high an altitude and then made an “aggressive descent,” striking a CAL FIRE Bell 407 helicopter, which crashed immediately afterwards near Cabazon, in Riverside County, killing its crew of three.

NTSB report finds human error caused deadly California helicopter collision

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Fire Ready Nation Act passes Senate to boost wildfire prevention

The Fire Ready Nation Act, a bipartisan bill which was introduced into the U.S. Senate in January with the main purpose of establishing the Fire Weather Services program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help prevent, forecast and fight wildfires, passed unanimously on Wednesday.

Fire Ready Nation Act passes Senate to boost wildfire prevention

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U.S. Forest Service now allows wildfire crews to wear masks

After years of wildland firefighters developing cancer, lung disease and other health issues while not being allowed to wear masks as they work, the U.S. Forest Service will now allow these crews to wear masks on the fireline.

U.S. Forest Service now allows wildfire crews to wear masks

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U.S. Very Large/Large Air Tanker Fleet and Airport Operations (Aug. 2025)

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Lance Sherry, Director of the Center for Air Transportation Systems Research at George Mason University, sent along a report on U.S. air-tanker operations for the month of August.

U.S. Very Large/Large Air Tanker Fleet and Airport Operations (Aug. 2025)

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From Detection to Action: Closing the 95 Year Gap in Aerial Wildfire Response

An article provides a comprehensive overview of how drones and optionally piloted aircraft can end a 95‑year gap in aerial firefighting - since the first water drops in 1930 - that keeps the most critical airborne support on the sidelines.

From Detection to Action: Closing the 95 Year Gap in Aerial Wildfire Response

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Federal firefighting agency ‘consolidation’ plan deadline next week

A major deadline set by an Executive Order from President Trump to consolidate the firefighting apparatus in the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, basically combining five firefighting agencies' personnel into one, is approaching, with some advocacy organizations hoping it will improve coordination.

Federal firefighting agency ‘consolidation’ plan deadline next week

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West experiencing record heat, fire danger as wildfire smoke reduces air quality

ABC News provided an overview of wildfires burning across the West, where significant areas remain under advisories for high temperatures and dozens of wildland blazes burn, especially in Northern California and parts of Oregon pummeled by thousands of lightning strikes.

West experiencing record heat, fire danger as wildfire smoke reduces air quality

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