Summit County Citizens Voice

A smoke plume towers over the 39,000-acre Wood Hollow Fire in Utah. Photo courtesy InciWeb.org.

Modified DC 10 used as heavy air tanker in aerial firefighting efforts

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A massive new human-caused wildfire burning southeast of Provo, Utah, has destroyed numerous structures, with several nearby communities under evacuation orders.

The Wood Hollow Fire is reported as 15 percent contained, at almost 40,000 acres. The exact cause of ignition is still under investigation. The fire is burning in a mix of Timber grass and and brush, as well as pinyon, Juniper, Cheat rass, sage,  and mixed oak.

According to InciWeb.org, almos 400 firefighters are on scene working to contain the blaze.

Farther east, the Church Camp Fire grew to 1,000 acres, threatening  Cabins, trailers, power lines, major transmission power lines, outbuildings and historic log cabins. In all, about 83 structures are at risk. 

Fire officials said fire behavior was extreme Monday, with torching, spotting and running crown fires burning in Douglas fir, Pinyon pine, Juniper, brush and grass.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Highway 191 remains open between Duchesne and Price Utah, but travel delays may be experience due to fire traffic.Currently there are 100 firefighters, 4 single seat air tankers, 8 engines, 2 water tenders and 2 bulldozers and a DC-10 very large air tanker (VLAT).

This is the first time a DC-10 VLAT has been used in Utah to fight a wildfire. The DC-10 VLAT is a commercial air plane outfitted to carry water or retardant for wildfires. It carries so much water that very few places can reload it with water or retardant. The DC-10 carries 11,000 gallons of water or retardant whereas normal air tankers carry about 2,200 gallons. It also has to have a special lead plane that is trained to do the flight with the DC-10 to lead it into areas on the fire. The DC-10 VLAT will be refueled and reloaded with water or retardant out of Boise, Idaho. The DC-10 is normally based out of Victorville Airport in southern California.

Filed under: climate and weather, Drought, Environment, forest fires Tagged: | Aerial firefighting, Church Camp fire, drought, Utah wildfires, VLAT, western wildfires, Wood Hollow Fire