Community Chat

[Kachina624]

Three Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) Sheriff's Department Deputies and one county fire rescue employee were killed yesterday in  helicopter crash while assisting in the fighting of the East Mesa Fire near Las Vegas, NM.

Our fires continue although now they are being caused by lightening strikes during frequent monsoon thunderstorms.  We've also had catastrophic flooding as water rushes over the burn scars flooding highways and homes.

Its still a long way off, but I'm ready for this awful summer to be over.

[Pearlee]

If they were "assisting," were they still "first" responders?

[Kachina624]

@Pearlee   As they were amomg the first on the scene, they were indeed.  Every emergency worker assists.  Nobody does it alone.

[Cakers3]

@Kachina624   I am sorry to read such sad news.

[Flying Dove]

So very sad about the first responders losing their lives.  In a recent wildfire in Colorado, some people were flying drones over the wildfire, which caused a real problem for the 2 helicopters releasing water on the wildfire.  Fortunately, they were able to get the drone flyers to quit flying, so the helicopters could do their job.  So very good that the wind was barely blowing that day and they were able to get the wildfire out.  This winter person here is ready for summer to be over.    

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Three Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) Sheriff's Department Deputies and one county fire rescue employee were killed yesterday in  helicopter crash while assisting in the fighting of the East Mesa Fire near Las Vegas, NM.

Our fires continue although now they are being caused by lightening strikes during frequent monsoon thunderstorms.  We've also had catastrophic flooding as water rushes over the burn scars flooding highways and homes.

Its still a long way off, but I'm ready for this awful summer to be over.

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@Kachina624 

So sorry your area is going through this.  Responding to fires is such dangerous work.  

In CA it's no better. 

Recovering is so hard.  Even after the fires are out, and people go back to the homes that are still left standing, trying find a way to create a new normal can take years.

[fthunt]

Just read about the crash on FOX website and it said 2 hit while landing. One or both....not sure.

 I'll have to go back & read again - so sad.

[Kachina624]

@fthunt  I believe you're referring to an airplane crash near Las Vegas, Nv.

This helicopter crash was near Las Vegas, NM, the original Las Vegas which is due East and across the mountains from Santa Fe.

[Kachina624]

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@Flying Dove wrote:

So very sad about the first responders losing their lives.  In a recent wildfire in Colorado, some people were flying drones over the wildfire, which caused a real problem for the 2 helicopters releasing water on the wildfire.  Fortunately, they were able to get the drone flyers to quit flying, so the helicopters could do their job.  So very good that the wind was barely blowing that day and they were able to get the wildfire out.  This winter person here is ready for summer to be over.    

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@Flying Dove   Actually the FAA says flying drones in an area where fires are being fought is illegal.  I don't know why they don't shoot them down.  Danger to workers on the ground, I guess.

[azgal]

I'm so sorry ti hear this.