BP’s Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Disaster - One Year Later

BP’s Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Disaster

- One Year Later -

BP’s Semisubmersible Drilling Rig ‘Deepwater Horizon’ Exploded, (and later sank,) One Year Ago - The Rig Was In The Gulf of Mexico, In Mississippi Canyon Block 252, Around 41 Miles Offshore Off The Louisiana Coast

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

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Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling platform sinks during Gulf Oil Disaster

File photo by DoE

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I would post all about this event, one year later... But sadly, you know the drill.

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 If reading anything out there on the web, from an author of the Left persuasion... you’ll read that everything is still going to hell in a hand basket.

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 If reading from and author on the Right, you’ll read that all is well, pretty much and that it has been one of the fastest recoveries ever.

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I find that the true, as always, is riding somewhere in the middle of the two. With that said... Today is not and should not be about the politics brought on by this tragic event one year ago but should be about the lives we lost that day.

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May god bless all 11 men that we lost that tragic day and also, Lord... Please be with all their families, friends and loved ones who have soooo suffered from their losses...

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Our thoughts and prayers still go out to all those affected by this tragic accident from one year ago.

In memory of...

AubreyJ.........

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NASA Will Release New Report Today on 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

NASA Will Release New Report Today on...

2003 Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
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On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry to earth -- killing all seven-persons who made up the crew of STS-107.
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Today NASA will release details of the final moments of the doomed Space Shuttle Columbia.

Read more on this or Watch the Houston KTRX Channel13 Eyewitness News HD-Video from early this morning...
HERE

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Update: 12:30 pm CST
The Crew Survival Integrated Investigation report is now available:
* Columbia Crew Survival Investigation Report (16.2 MB PDF)
Also of interest
* Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report
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In memory of the STS-107 Columbia Crew

Here’s a Video Tribute titled:
‘16 Minutes From Home’
Watch it at link below...
http://vstream1.ksc.nasa.gov/ramgen/odv/ksc_direct/sts107/16-minutes2.rm
RealPlayer needed to view
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NASA History Office:
Remembering Columbia STS-107
Visit the website
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AubreyJ.........
Above images courtesy of NASA

California Burning In The Winds - October 30, 2007

California Burning In The Winds
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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Victory in sight for firefighters battling California blazes..
* LATimes.com brings us this report and it starts off like this... Firefighters hurried Monday to control the stubborn wildfires that continued to burn throughout Southern California before the Santa Ana winds return this week... Forecasters are predicting offshore winds by the weekend, though the ferocity was expected to be less than the gale-force winds that spread wildfires through the region's bone-dry tinder last week. Moist air and lower temperatures in recent days have helped firefighters battle the blazes.
Read the rest HERE
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About above photo: A UH-1N Search and Rescue Unit helicopter stationed out of Naval Air Station Fallon releases a large amount of water onto the local fires in an effort to control and contain the fires on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., October 24, 2007. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt Wayne Bitselley)
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DoD’s American Forces Press Service has this news article out today...
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Defense Department Works to Battle
Remaining California Fires
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Defense Department personnel continue to help state authorities battle five wildfires still burning in California, Pentagon officials said today.

According to U.S. Northern Command officials, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130s flew 10 sorties yesterday dropping fire retardant. They will continue the mission today. The aircraft have flown 74 sorties since arriving in southern California.

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The Global Hawk, the Air Force's state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicle, flew missions to spot fires, as did an Air Force U-2 reconnaissance plane and a Navy P-3C Orion.

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On the ground, more than 2,700 California Guardsmen are working in a variety of roles from firefighting to security and communications assistance.

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In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers is helping to coordinate public works and engineering support for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, NORTHCOM officials said. The Corps is addressing four emergency support missions under FEMA: temporary power, temporary housing, planning, and debris removal and disposal.

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The wildfires destroyed 2,772 structures and damaged another 437. At their height, the fires forced more than 500,000 people from their homes from an area north of Los Angeles to the Mexican border. California officials said the fires killed seven people and hurt 117. California fire control officials said they expect the fires to be out by November 2nd.

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* DoD’s Web Special Report: Military Helps Fight California Wildfires
* More Information on the California Wildfires...
HERE and HERE
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** Ledger-Dispatch.com has a report today and it goes in part like this... The state Office of Emergency Services damage tally rose Monday to 2,786 buildings destroyed, including more than 2,000 homes... Clouds streamed inland from the Pacific on Monday and meteorologists predicted areas of drizzle and light showers through Wednesday morning... Fire crews were already benefiting from precipitation in some areas, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "We continue to make great progress," he said...
Read story in full at link below...
Residents of fire-scarred Southern California communities mull next step as firefighters keep eye on weather
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Note: I’ll be posting more on the remaining fires in California over the next few days. But for now, again I say... god’s speed to all of those who are helping in the effort to fight these terrible... and still ongoing fires.
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I also send out my thoughts and prayers to those who got hurt... to those that lost their lives, to their families, friends and loved ones... to the families that had to be evacuated from their homes... and to those who have lost everything.
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God bless each and every one of you...
AubreyJ.........

California Burning In The Winds - October 26, 2007

California Burning In The Winds
Friday, October 26, 2007
(Note: This post on top today - Scroll for newer post below)
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As Fires Burn, Some Evacuees Return Home
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* CBSNews.com brings us this report and it starts off like this... Though several blazes still burned Friday across San Diego County, the region hardest hit by the firestorms that began last weekend, thousands of evacuees have been trickling back to neighborhoods stripped bare... The football stadium where thousands sought refuge is closing as an evacuation center, marking a symbolic show of progress. Once sheltering more than 10,000 people, Qualcomm Stadium was home to about 200 on Friday morning...
Read the rest HERE
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About above photo: A member of the Camp Pendleton Fire Department prepares to engage one of the many fires burning on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 25, 2007. The fires, which began Oct. 23, 2007, continue to burn.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Denise M. Serrano
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* USAToday.com has this report and it goes in part like this... In all, fires raced across 497,000 acres... or 765 square miles, an area half the size of Rhode Island... They were fanned early in the week by Santa Ana winds that produced gusts topping 100 mph... Of the 1,800 homes lost so far, 80% were in San Diego County. The property damage there alone has surpassed $1 billion...
Read story in full at link below...
Some evacuees return home as firefighting continues
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* The International Herald Tribune website has this report... While life began returning to normal in parts of southern California Friday, firefighters continued to battle several large blazes that still threatened more than 20,000 homes.
Read in full at link below...
Homes still at risk on sixth day of fires in California

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* More Information on the California Wildfires...
HERE and HERE

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* Military Helps Battle Wildfires *

Military News Video about: Mandatory evacuation orders being lifted Friday for many of the residential areas of San Diego as military and civilian firefighters began making solid progress against wildfires...

Video update by DoD

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I will post more on this terrible story over the next few days.
But again I say... God’s speed to all of those who are helping in the effort to fight these terrible... ongoing fires.
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I also send out my thoughts and prayers to those who lost their lives, to their families, friends and loved ones... to the families that have been evacuated from their homes... and to those who have lost everything.
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God bless each and every one of you...
AubreyJ.........

California Burning In The Winds - October 25, 2007

California Burning In The Winds
Thursday, October 25, 2007
(Note: This post on top today - Scroll for newer post below)

Fire death toll climbs as weather aids firefighters' efforts

MercuryNews.com brings us this report this morning and it starts off like this... San Diego County authorities today said they have discovered the bodies of two more people believed to have been killed in the wildfires that scorched Southern California this week... Recovery crews found the burned bodies in a gutted home near Poway, north of San Diego, Sheriff Bill Kolender said. He had no other details but said medical examiners were trying to establish their identities... The discovery brings to eight the total number of deaths connected to the fires... The grim announcement came on a day when officials were otherwise upbeat. Prospects for gaining control of some of the most severe fires heightened as the Santa Ana winds calmed and temperatures dropped...
Read the rest HERE

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About photo on right: Wildfires burn near Camp Horno on Camp Pendleton, Calif., October 23, 2007.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Grant T. Walker
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USAToday.com has this report... Despite a dramatic drop in high winds and record temperatures, wildfires raged out of control in two Southern California counties on Thursday, but firefighters battling 10 fires were at least able to throw more men, water and airplanes into the battle in hopes of reining in some of the blazes...
Read story in full at link below...
Calmer winds aid firefighters, but danger far from over
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The ABCNews.go.com website has this report and it goes in part like this... On the fire lines, a massive aerial assault and a break in the harsh winds that had fanned the flames throughout the week were helping firefighters make their first major progress... The hot, dry Santa Ana winds that have whipped the blazes into a destructive, indiscriminate fury since the weekend were expected to all but disappear...
Read in full at link below...
Calif. Fires May Be at Turning Point

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* More Information on the California Wildfires...
HERE and HERE

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Southern California Wildfires from Int. Space Station

About Video: NASA Video from the International Space Station shows the Southern California Wildfires
Info/Video posted on LiveLeak by: jdischord
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I will post more on this terrible story over the next few days.
But again I say... God’s speed to all of those who are helping in the effort to fight these terrible... ongoing fires.
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I also send out my thoughts and prayers to those who lost their lives, to their families, friends and loved ones... to the families that have been evacuated from their homes... and to those who have lost everything.
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God bless each and every one of you...
AubreyJ.........

California Burning In The Winds - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Defense Department Continues Aid on California's Fire Front
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Military C-130s with modular air firefighting systems this morning began dropping fire retardant and water on wildfires plaguing California. They will continue the effort as long as wind conditions allow, defense officials said.

A total of 16 wildfires have burned more than 360,000 acres in Southern California, and hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes in danger areas, California National Guard officials said today.

California officials said that five people have died as a result of the fires; more than 2,100 homes and other structures have been destroyed or damaged; and more than 87,500 structures are in danger from the fast-moving fires. Santa Ana winds, often blowing at speeds up to 100 miles per hour, have complicated firefighting efforts, officials said.

Fourteen helicopters from the California National Guard, the Navy and Marine Corps are using buckets to drop water on the blazes, officials said.

Everything California has asked the Defense Department for has been delivered, U.S. Northern Command officials said, and command officials are leaning forward to anticipate what the state might need as the crisis continues.

Thirty-two active-duty servicemembers, 67 defense civilians and 1,500 National Guardsmen are directly engaged in immediate response, supporting firefighting response, command and control, logistics support, security, communications and relief operations, U.S. Northern Command officials said. U.S. Northern Command is responsible for coordinating defense support to civil authorities in emergencies.

A total of 550 Marines and 17,301 California National Guardsmen are standing by, available for duty if needed. The Marines are going through firefighting training in anticipation of being called. Officials at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, said that federal firefighters will flow into the area over the next few days.

About 1,400 Navy personnel and their families have been evacuated onto three Navy bases: Coronado, El Centro and San Diego. This clears civilian shelters for more evacuees.

The Marine Corps has evacuated about 40 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, officials said.

An Aegis cruiser, a guided-missile destroyer and two fast frigates will remain in port to support evacuation and movement of dependents.

Local military installations have provided about 10,000 cots to local evacuation sites, NORTHCOM officials said. In response to a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Defense Department has designated March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif. and North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego for use as forward staging areas for federal supplies flowing south from the FEMA logistics center at Moffitt Field, Calif.

(From news article by DoD’s American Forces Press Service - Written by Jim Garamone)
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Major Disaster Declared for California Wildfires
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for the wildfires in seven California counties. This declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals, and includes assistance to state and eligible local governments. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

This declaration follows on the report made to President Bush by Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison, who toured areas impacted by the wildfires and reviewed the federal response efforts in support of local officials in California on Tuesday.

Read the rest at FEMA.gov
Info and photo from the Homeland Security website
Photo by California Governor's Office
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* More Information on California Wildfires HERE and HERE
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About above photo: As the sun begins to rise over Naval Base San Diego in Coronado, Calif., October 23, 2007, smoke from the wildfires lingers overhead. More than 250,000 people have been urged to flee their homes across Southern California as wildfires continue to spread throughout the county. Navy Region Southwest has established several Military Evacuation Centers for Navy families who have been forced to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Jane Campbell
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* The USAToday.com website put this report out around 12:00pm CDT... Fierce Santa Ana winds that have driven raging wildfires for three days moderated on Wednesday, giving exhausted firefighters better conditions to battle 16 fires that have already caused $1 billion in property damage in San Diego County alone... The winds, which had reached gusts as high as 100 mph, fell to a sustained speed of 21 to 36 mph in some areas. Westerly seabreezes were also expected to counter the hot winds that have been roaring in from the Mojave Desert for three days...
Read story in full at link below...
Shifting winds may help California firefighters
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* The CNN.com website has lots of info, photos, stories, videos and more at link below...
California Wildfires
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Fire 'Tornados' Form In California

About Video: Swirling smoke and flames create what some are calling 'Fire Tornados' in Southern California.
Video post on LiveLeak by: barnesy
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Fires in Southern California
(The following image and info is from the EarthObservatory.NASA.gov website)

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, wildfires ignited in the paper-dry, drought-stricken vegetation of Southern California over the weekend of October 20, 2007, and exploded into massive infernos that forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their communities. Driven by Santa Ana winds, fires grew thousands of acres in just one to two days. The fires sped down from the mountains into the outskirts of coastal cities, including San Diego. Dozens of homes have burned to the ground, and at least one person has died, according to local news reports. Several of the fires were burning completely out of control as of October 22.

This image of the fires in California was captured at 1:55 p.m. U.S. Pacific Daylight Time on October 22, 2007. Places where MODIS detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. Thick streamers of smoke unfurl over the Pacific Ocean. The brownish plumes are clouds of dust. Fires northwest of Los Angeles seemed calmer at the time of this image than they were the previous day.

The drought in the Southwest throughout summer 2007 has been “extreme” according to the categories used by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Dry vegetation and Santa Ana winds, which can reach hurricane force as they race downslope from the deserts of the Great Basin and through narrow mountain passes, are often a devastating combination in Southern California. According to the Incident Management Situation Report from the National Interagency Fire Center for October 22, Santa Ana winds were expected to continue through Wednesday.

For more information about individual fires in Southern California, visit the Fire Information page of the National Interagency Fire Center Website.

You can download a 250-meter-resolution KMZ file of the fires suitable for use with Google Earth.

NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering MODIS Direct Broadcast facility.

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I will post more on this terrible story over the next few days. But again I say... God’s speed to all of those who are helping in the effort to fight these terrible... ongoing fires.
AubreyJ.........

California Burning In The Winds - Tuesday, October 23, 2007

(Note: This post on top today - Scroll for newer post below)

Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for California

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning on October 21, 2007, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael J. Hall as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.

(From press release by The White House - Office of the Press Secretary)
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Federal Emergency Management Agency

Coordinates Response to California Wildfires

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Federal Emergency Management Agency is working side-by-side with state officials and other federal partners engaged in the response to the multiple wildfires burning across southern California. The President today issued an emergency disaster declaration for California and ordered greater federal aid to supplement state and local response activities in the affected areas.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said federal resources began mobilizing as early as Sunday, October 21, and authorized federal funds to reimburse the state for certain costs incurred under FEMA's Fire Management Assistance Grant Program. Read More at FEMA.gov

Info and photo from the Homeland Security website

Photo is a FEMA News Photo taken by Kevin Galvin

* More Information on California Wildfires
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About above photo: San Diego County residents take refuge in the Sports Warehouse Gym on Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., October 23, 2007. Naval facilities throughout Navy Region Southwest have opened their gates to provide food, shelter and supplies to families of service members, thousands of whom have been displaced by the wildfires that are devastating Southern California.
DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac, U.S. Navy
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The USAToday.com website put this report out around 3:50pm CDT...
As a dozen fires raged along the coast of Southern California Tuesday for a third day, San Diego County took the brunt of the wind-whipped fury that is driving more than a half million people into makeshift shelters, including 10,000 evacuees huddled in QualComm stadium... The wildfires, driven by fierce Santa Ana winds at gusts up to 70 mph, have burned more than 1,300 homes and businesses and 373,000 acres, or 583 square miles...
Read story in full at link below...
Calif. fires force more than 500,000 from homes
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TheGate.NationalJournal.com website put out this report around 3:49pm CDT... Southern California is still waiting for the worst to be over as firefighters battle roaring blazes across seven counties and about 350,000 households have been relocated out of harm's way. Two people have been killed in the wildfires, and 18 firefighters have been injured, several by severe burns...
Firefighters Battle Calif. Blazes; Debate Begins
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DC-10 Fire Tanker Drops Phos-Chek on California Fire

About Video: A converted DC-10 passenger jet makes a drop on a wildfire.
Video post on LiveLeak by: CriticalThinker
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I will post more on this terrible story over the next few days. But for now... God’s speed to all of those who are helping in the effort to fight these terrible... ongoing fires.
AubreyJ.........