Pilots asked to avoid airspace

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -- The aftermath of the Fourth of July weekend -- with its fireworks and campfires -- often results in some uncontrolled fires, which can evolve into wildland fires, especially during dry summers, according to Douglas Albrecht with the Alaska Division of Forestry, Mat-Su/Southwest Area Prevention. Airplane pilots crossing into airspace over a forest fire may put themselves in danger or impede firefighting efforts taking place in the air, Alaska Fire Services spokesperson Alecia McCoy said in a phone interview Friday.

She explained that air tankers, helicopters and smoke jumpers may be battling fires that crop up around Alaska this time of year. When a pilot inadvertently crosses through the airspace where a wildfire is burning, those firefighting operations have to stop until the plane passes by.

All pilots should make checking updates of temporary flight restrictions as second nature as reporting a flight plan, according to McCoy. Graphic information on fire TFRs can be accessed at www.faa.gov or airspace.nifc.gov/mapping/nifc.

After speaking with the aviation department at Alaska Fire Services, McCoy said most airspace intrusions in temporary flight restriction area occur because the pilot didn't check the report before flying.

"Our aviation department said, 'Obviously, we won't shoot them down or anything,' " McCoy said, adding that most Alaska pilots are pretty good about checking TFRs. Most TFRs are located about five miles around the fire and 5,000 feet above ground level. Also, not all TFRs are round, as wildfires may have irregular shapes.

It's wise to keep updated on restricted zones since wildfires can be unpredictable and shift course rapidly.

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252, or dawn.debusk@frontiersman.com.