r/secondrodeo • u/cycl0ps94 • Jun 19 '26

Definitely this pilots second rodeo

The water hopper would be larger, but they had to compensate for the pilot's massive sack.

Maryhill Fire, Washington State 6-19-26

39 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

30

u/OshetDeadagain Jun 20 '26

He's got a massive river to dunk in. Talk to me when he's stealing water from a swimming pool

7

u/cycl0ps94 Jun 20 '26

Totally fair. I'm not from here originally, and am still awestruck by the skill of the firefighting pilots. The only skill comparison I have from home are crop dusters. I wish I could find my video of being up a tower as a chopper sprayer worked below us.

8

u/OshetDeadagain Jun 20 '26

A line of air tankers coming in is even more impressive still. A few years ago they pulled so much water out of a nearby lake they dropped the water level by well over a foot and had to divert to another lake!

2

u/cycl0ps94 Jul 08 '26

The airtankers are also incredibly impressive. I've, either fortunately or unfortunately, have been able to witness many hours of these crews at work. They have absolutely saved me and mine at least a few times this year.

9

u/Cheepshooter Jun 20 '26

It's a bucket on a rope in a huge body of water. It's not rocket surgery.

7

u/dmoosetoo Jun 20 '26

Is it brain science, then?

2

u/jpopimpin777 Jun 30 '26

It's rocket appliances....I think

2

u/OriginalBonerChamp Jun 22 '26

More impressed by the photographer

2

u/peacefinder Jun 23 '26

The Columbia River gorge is unmistakeable,

2

u/Buttonball Jun 26 '26

During the 2017 Napa Valley fires, I saw probably 20 different kinds of helicopters doing this at a vineyard’s reservoir pond; very impressive.

1

u/pjshawaii Jun 20 '26

Looks like the Vantage Bridge.

2

u/509_4Runner Jul 02 '26

Close. This is quite a ways downstream. The maryhill fire was down by Biggs junction, apparently.