Mounted search and rescue

[Pennbo <pennbo@bbv.net>]

Hi Dana- we have all the air support we can handle at this point. Most 
of the areas have become no-fly zones. We have VERY steep and VERY 
rugged terrain with peaks reaching over 11,000ft. Normally winds are 
pretty nasty and unpredictable but with the heat currents from the fire 
they've become downright dangerous. Makes the job that heli and small 
plane pilots are doing even move incredible. Media aircraft are keeping 
their distance and letting air support do their job thankfully. This 
morning the air support is sitting quietly letting the dozers and ground 
crews do some work.

Check out these two links for interesting info:
kbhr933.com  (local radio website)
http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/   (satellite views including infrared)
http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_4055338   (news story with good links)
http://publicsafetyfeeds.com/   (links to multiple scanners worldwide- 
we are SanBernardino sys 8)
http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=135:1:1348242180484713753::NO:::   
(place name search that links to map services)
http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/2432   (local website with 
condensed scanner talk)

Now some of these sites are local but some are great resources for SAR 
anywhere. Check out the satellite, scanner, and name sites for general 
SAR use.

Keep the thoughts of rain coming! We are expecting thunderstorms this PM 
- that means rain but it's also how the darn fires started in the first 
place- lightning.  I havent' heard an update from Morongo since early 
Friday morning but I know they are mobilizing on a Search this morning 
for a man missing in the fire. I am sure they are all exhausted but 
willing to continue to do their jobs. They are a great group.

Chris Pennington
Big Bear Sheriff's Posse
MSAR