As of July 8th, the airport is still shut down, but minimal damage to the airport itself. Lost a storage shed and some hangars were "opened," by the fire fighters, but not destroyed. The fire took out 77 acres Thanks for asking!

@ddog707

22 күн бұрын

Was wondering about that. It’s been very (nicely) quiet without all the planes messing around.

Great Field Report Mark!!!

@craigstika2212

24 күн бұрын

Thank you Juan. I am glad you are in the HQ and reporting

@peterk2455

24 күн бұрын

Don't see firebreaks around these buildings. Is the concept unknown in that part of the world?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks Juan. Thanks for your live coverage. Conventional media was so inaccurate.

@gendaminoru3195

20 күн бұрын

Thanks for the Mad Dog footage Juan

Cool vids of the tanker drops! Glad everyone is ok. Thanks for sharing!

@ydne

24 күн бұрын

That well timed clip might circle the internet for years.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

The amusing part is that it was total luck.

Wow Mark, that was a close one! Glad everyone's okay. And that none of those beautiful planes were damaged.

@trvman1

23 күн бұрын

Not like they could have untied the planes and moved them to a safer part of the airport.

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Having survived the Caldor Fire, I can tell you it isn't that simple. Fire moves FAST. Grizzly Flats was destroyed in about 15 minutes. Unless you were at the airport with your plane at the time of the fire (and they shut down access to the airport), and the fire had moved through the airport, your plane would have been lost. Access, speed of fire, and manpower would all have contributed to the loss. - Don the Camera Guy.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

They would have moved them if they had been in danger.

Wow. Be safe, Mark. Aircraft and structures can be replaced.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Luckily we didn't lose a plane or a hangar anywhere.

@markthibault8579

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Very glad to hear that.

blancolirio sent me!

@ThePudgie123

24 күн бұрын

Meee tooo!

@kerrymcdonagh1327

24 күн бұрын

And me. Watching from Australia but have friends with aircraft located there. All the best to you all, stay safe.

@viperq

24 күн бұрын

same here

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

We are very glad Juan sent all of you to our channel. Thanks for watching! - Don the Camera Guy.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Hi, welcome. It's fun over here. Juan got me into this game.

Wowza ! Winds can change in a heartbeat. Stay safe all!

Dang, that was CLOSE! Glad everyone is okay.

Just subscribed Mark. I was watching Juan’s coverage and he showed you video. Great views

That was close! Bad ass capture of the tanker!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Total luck. I was starting to talk and bam. There she was.

That was a close shave. Great footage of the air drops...thanks!

It was neat getting the shots of the tankers right overhead in an almost normal way. It really gives an idea be of the size of the fire that can almost be comprehended. Zeke, at the Lookout, had some video the other day showing the Oroville fire. At that much larger fire, the tankers appeared to be tiny. It sure gives this flatlander an overwhelming sense of the monstrous extent of fire. Thanks.

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

The tankers were right here in amongst the action.

Seriuosly, why aren’t there fire lines, controlled burns, fuel clearing work around places like airports, towns and homes located in fire prone areas? . Sooner or later fire comes, everyone seems surprised and its panic to risk life to save property.

Definitely a close one. You could make an interesting show interviewing the pilots of the big tankers. Communication. Targeting. Timing. Turnaround time. TT and Training required. I have a bunch of questions for those guys/gals.

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

We'll see if we can get someone to sit down for our podcast.

@alangarrett1181

23 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 that would be great! 🍿

Another Subscriber sent over from Blancolirio. OUTSTANDING coverage!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks and welcome

Thanks Mark. I watched the show from my place here in Smith Flat...

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

That is stadium seating.

That’s some top notch coverage ! Keep it up Mark! Love it !!

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

Once in 30 years I get a fire at the airport.

Having visited the Placerville Airport and you at Skywagons back in 2019, I have a great minds eye of the damaged area. I'm so glad it wasn't worse and everyone is ok!

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

Thanks. Post mortem fire view coming out today.

I am glad that you’re safe. Thanks for the update.

@skywagonuniversity5023

21 күн бұрын

Much appreciated

Good coverage, Mark. Prayers for all affected and keep everyone safe as well as all those precious aircraft.

@bigmuz_pilot

24 күн бұрын

I think it would be better to rely on fire fighting people to take care of this one.

@PDZ1122

23 күн бұрын

@@bigmuz_pilot Nonono...divine intervention always works. That's why we never have fires like this. God takes care of it!

Juan Browne sent me. What was that structure on fire in your last photo?

@maxgood42

24 күн бұрын

38°43'18.6"N 120°45'54.2"W

@blancolirio

23 күн бұрын

I think he said it was an oil storage shed?

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Yes ... it was a storage shed.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

A disused empty old oil dump. Nothing in it but the wood frame.

Hope the Luskin 180 is ok. Hope I spelled that right. Some really cool vintage toys in some of the hangers there. Hope all is well Wayne S. 👍

I have seen some of your videos before. Juan sent me over today!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Exacellent. Juan is great. I'm going to do some more videos with him.

I'm on the other side of town and I can't even see the 737 tanker when it's working it's so low! I can only see it headed to and from McClellan.

That awesome cross-runway downhill drop shot of the 737 took me by surprise! They had been dropping mostly parallel to the runway southwesterly. I was tracking it on the app as it circled overhead around my house when I lost it in the trees. We’re all like wondering where the heck it went and BOOM! Here us comes almost straight at us and banking hard and up! Truly awesome airmanship from the pilots. Was definitely an interesting afternoon air show

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I've never seen a 737 from above when I'm standing on the ground. It was spectacular.

Stay safe and prayers of safety for all those in the area affected as well as for those pilots fighting it!

Stay safe Mark. We're praying everyone will be OK.

Holy moly what an Intro Mark!!! I hope they save your signature road ("but it's not a road it's....)

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Lucky shot that. I didn't see that 2019 Boeing 737-700 with 32,870 TT and 1,882 on the left engine and 1,276 on the right engine converted to fire fighting in 2022, creep up on me. Ha ha Made all that up.

Love your videos and grateful to hear the airport was spared.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you.

That’s a great video. Thanks Mark!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks Big Sister. :-)

We cancelled our trip to Placerville about 10 days ago because of high temp forecast. Hope you guys make it thru the summer!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's pretty hot here. Next week will be cooler.

Thanks for the post

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks. Had to get the truth out.

I'd love to know more about getting into aerial fire fighting. Is there a sort of progression where one could start as a low-time pilot and work their way up to actual fire fighting?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's a long hard road but it's the same as becoming an airline pilot.

Old Hangtown - very sorry for yalls misfortune - prayers for firefighters keeping yall safe - here from Blancolirio - fantastic shots of action of hard working aircrew - thank you so much.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you.

fantastic reporting and camera work - that was like a friggin movie!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

yes, Thanks. All choreographed and timed. (By luck)

holy crap, that's really close...great filming!

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

Thanks. Post fire analysis coming up.

We had one near the airport in Redmond Oregon today too

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Any damage?

@bryonmorgan5208

21 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 nothing major. For a time it was shut to all but air tanker traffic. The planes would take off, circle and drop, then land for a reload and do it again. They really didn't even get out of the pattern. The Redmond tanker base actually ran out of retardant at one point so planes had to top off at Klamath Falls and Medford for awhile until more retardant was brought in.

Woah! Incredible footage... so glad Placerville made it out okay.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks.

Wow! Glad you’re safe and slightly sprinkled red.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I'll never burn now.

Blancolirio sent me! Thank you for sharing!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Excellent. Thanks.

I hope everything is OK? Did any aircraft fly out to avoid fire?

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Looks like the fire was stopped from getting to aircraft or hangars.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Yes. It airport was closed and no planes left. None were damaged and no hangers were damaged..

Cool opening shot.

Please keep us posted.

Good luck all - great on the spot report 🙏🙏✌️✌️💜💜

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks.

Praying that the fire doesn’t burn any further

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

Thanks. It's out now. Sequel coming today.

I’m a long-time viewer and very concerned about your situation. I hope everything turns OK. Serwus!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you. It's out and no hangers or planes were damaged.

Wow, it was so close. I hope everyone's equipment is OK.

Clearly there was no vegetation removal done in the airport perimeter for many decades.

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Black is the new green. - Don the Camera Guy

Hope things are ok Mark. Praying! I just caught Juan's report. I see no TFR over you at 1130 pm. Best to you mate!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks. It's out, It's been out since Saturday night but here we are Monday being told online that it is 35% contained. It's out and no hangars or planes lost.

Keep safe Mark! Hope and pray all is well. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's out now and no hangars or planes were damaged.

Hey Mark, what is the v-tail plane behind you? Doesn’t look like a Magister.

@jamesnelson7415

24 күн бұрын

It's a Beechcraft Bonanza, a 35 series (the original configuration of the Bonanzas, with the V tail).

@kayandrod

24 күн бұрын

Looks like a Sonex Waiex

@mamulcahy

23 күн бұрын

@@jamesnelson7415um, no. As a former K35 owner, I guarantee it isn’t. The shape of the ruddervators is wrong.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's a tiny two seater Sonex

Good job Mark! Thank you to all involved saving our beloved community and airport! The response was amazing! Everyone came together to battle this one!!! The way it should be!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

Wow, glad you guys survived the worst! Now that the heat is off (!) is it time for Mark, SkyWagon and those tanker boys to come and talk DC9 model year differences…??!!😅

Wow way to close, good all are safe, excellent footage of how fire teams get it done..

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

They really did get it done.

Mark and Don, could we get an update on the outcome of the firefighting? All is well?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

The airport is still shut down, but minimal damage to the airport itself. Lost a storage shed and some hangars were "opened," by the fire fighters, but not destroyed. The fire took out 77 acres and is 25% contained. Driving by, you don't see any smoke. It looks like it scorched a few homes, but no other structures were destroyed. Thanks for asking!

Scary. Glad everyone’s OK!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks.

So glad you are safe. I'm a want to be plot and I love watching your video's.

@skywagonuniversity5023

19 күн бұрын

You can do it!

I hope the damage is not too great. Please take care of yourselves and do not take unnecessary risks. It is very sad to lose aircraft, buildings and material that you have spent a lot of time, money and energy building and maintaining, but remember that everything that is material can be replaced, but people cannot. Best wishes from Norway!

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Norway? Looks like we've achieved global reach!

@DoRullings

23 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 blancolirio sent me here. 🙂

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Juan is who got us into doing these videos.

Juan sent me, new sub here.

Wow! Has that happened before there Mark? Glad there was only minimal damage to the airfield. As someone else has said, great field report though!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you. It's good to have an accurate on-field report. Mainstream-media can be inaccurate.

No way those tanker pilots are gona let airplanes go up in flames!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Pilots looking after pilots.

It's up to 60 acres currently

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Put out on Saturday night at a total of 77

Glad all people and assets, are ok. Scary stuff.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Yes, all safe.

00:22 | What's the v-tail behind your hand?

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

It's a Sonex.

@Jon.......

23 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Thank you! Didn't see a prop or turbine, but now I see the prop.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's a little Sonnex samurai or something.

@Jon.......

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Yes, I get that now ... just didn't see a prop (at first) or turbine on top behind the cockpit and was confused.

Glad you guys are ok, would have missed your videos if you'd lost the planes. Lucky the tankers were available ! Watching from NZ

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

New Zealand in mid winter. Wish I was there. Where? Whats the temp. Its 40C here.

@jrbaeronz9840

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 12C in Auckland at 6.27PM , -swap you some of your 40c for some of our 12

Did any hangars burn, or was it just outbuildings?

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

It was just a storage shed that went up.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It was the old oil dump shed that was empty that burned. No hangars or planes were hurt.

@bartgoins1782

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 That's great to hear. Thanks.

@bartgoins1782

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 That's great to hear. Thanks.

Goodness, God cover everybody there!!!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It worked. It's out. No planes or hangars lost.

Surprised to hear a fellow British accent! Stay safe! ❤

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Yes, British. Been here 30 years.

@stephanielloyd4053

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Brilliant! Watching from Worcestershire, UK. Great video footage.

On location reporting :)

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Right there. Yes. News crews were making things up about a mile away.

Praying for everyone’s safety!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks. It worked, We all made it.

@robbyowen9107

22 күн бұрын

Great to hear!!

Is this Australia?

@ChazToz

24 күн бұрын

Placerville, California, east of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Awesome close great captures of air tanker retardant drops and the damage to whatever that small structure was. Stay safe brother it is quite the situation there.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

That was a little storage shed that burned. The tanker overhead was a total co-incidence and luck.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

That was a little storage shed that burned. The tanker overhead was a total co-incidence and luck.

Did you activate your fire truck?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I so wished I had it. We had 20 minutes before the big boys turned up. I sold it.

@paulj.ingram2839

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 So when we move up to Sac area from Carmel I will continue to advise Dana on forming the El Dorado County Airport District which could buy the most basic AARP equipment that could be operated by volunteers from the Placerville Airport Volunteer Pilot’s Association, of which you would be the Fire Chief, and roll on any brush fire threatening the airport or put foam on any aircraft that lands with a fire hazard. You have limited hours of operation so it is doable. The local professional firefighters institution will tell you you can’t but don’t listen to that bullshit.

Way too close for comfort, glad they got it under control!

At least the rest of the year you know it is safe.

Go wash that crap off....

@virgilhilts3924

24 күн бұрын

Why? It's 85% water, the rest is food grade dye and highly diluted fertilizer, specifically ammonium sulfate. Even at 99% concentrations ammonium sulfate barely registers a 1 on the MSDS/NFPA scale.

@BhutanBluePoppy

24 күн бұрын

@@virgilhilts3924 plus it’ll help protect him from sparks etc (?)

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I'm fire proof now.

Is this in Australia?

@zxr92

24 күн бұрын

Northern California, Australia sends tankers to US during our fire season.❤

Are those Coulson bombers?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

There was a huge mix of contractors.

I just happened to be looking at Flight Radar 24 and saw all the activity around the airport, wow!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

A Lot of circles as the refuelled.

Let's pray for rain

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's going to rain in November.

I wonder if that red stuff has a CA Prop 65 warning....everything else does.

@danielhawley6817

23 күн бұрын

SOMEONE has to add some nasty political snark.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Caution, It has been proven in the State of California that things will not burn if it has this on it.

Juan say to say hi. Hi!

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

👋

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Hi. It's fun over here on Skywagons.

@vwfanatic2390

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I agree. No longer flying but always an aviation enthusiast. Dad had different planes at different times but my memories are of the 182RG, the P210, and the B36

Placerville Airport where? Please provide complete location info (city, state, country) when you post events like this. Regardless, thanks for the good info.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

KPVF. Placerville. CA.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Yes, Northern California, 30 miles east of Sacramento at 2500 feet in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. US ID is KPVF

@GLRKY2-jy8zg

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Thanks!

Was just looking at the Pay fire on ForeFlight and Watch Duty, then saw this. 77.5 acres with evacuations. Hang in there…

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

No hangars or planes lost. It's out now.

Glad you’re ok.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thanks.

Update?

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Sunday it is out and no planes or hangars were burned. It was 77 acres and was started by a tree hitting a power transformer.

It must be great living in a country where everything and everyone works to improve the lives of others. As a white man living in Africa all of my life it is sad to see the decline in our society.

@skywagonuniversity5023

21 күн бұрын

Everyone was right on top of it. Lit at 11am and out by 8pm same day.

I'll bet the insurance company paid for that tanker drop. It would have been dollars well spent.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

That was one of about 30 drops like that. Just on that plane. There were smaller turbine planes too.

Wow!

Glad all is well in spite of poor fire defensible space brush clearance. Shame on the airport and any adjoining property owners. You’re in California and should know better. There is no excuse!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

There is a gap behind the hangars which is why no hangars were burnt. How far do you clear. 10 yards, a mile? Its not Nevada. It's a forested mountain community.

@joesmythe8232

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Yes… I am familiar with this airport. I am also familiar with the terrain and fuel types. And yes, State Fire recommendations are 30 feet CLEAR, and 100 feet with removal of brush, litter and lower limbs. Minimum. This was not done as is clearly evidenced even in the aftermath. The location on a plateau with the hillside rising up to the hangers adds to the ability of the fire to sweep uphill and blow into every crack and crevice of any buildings in the fire’s path. You guys dodged a bullet big time there. Had the winds been pushing the flaming front towards the airport, you would be reporting on a very sad disaster today. I share this as a pilot, a 35 year fire service veteran, and an angry California property owner. Every year, hundreds - sometimes thousands - of structures are lost in California. Way too many of which could have been saved through proper planning and fuel modifications. Our property insurance is going through the roof, or becoming unavailable as a result state wide. Aviation is struggling. Many communities, especially here in California are looking at potentially shutting down small airports. They barely survive as it is. Sure, insurance might replace a hanger. Maybe the aircraft. But few small airports can survive the disaster of having the infrastructure destroyed. I would implore you and your fellow tenants to work with the airport management to ensure your properties are not put at risk like this again. Work with your local fire authority on being better prepared around the remaining property, as well as this burned section when it all grows back in coming years. Please continue your excellent videos and aircraft reviews. I’ve enjoyed them and learned a lot from your vast aircraft knowledge.

Well on a positive note there isn't any material to burn for a few years. Or so it seems anyway.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

That is very true.

Praying for you!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It worked. Thanks.

Is the pink water healthy???

@JohnSmith-pl2bk

24 күн бұрын

Healthier than yellow water...

@kurtkunz1742

24 күн бұрын

@@JohnSmith-pl2bk Are you an Escimo? Then u know: Yellow ice is - buh!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I wouldn't drink it. It's got fire retardant in it.

Keep those airplanes safe! We're on your side!😊

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you.

@elosogonzalez8739

22 күн бұрын

@@skywagonuniversity5023 All the airplanes OK? I remember quite a few antique airplanes there when I visited years ago. Looks like a fly-in "BRUSH BASH" and Spaghetti Cook Out is in your future. All of that brushing and trees are bound to grow back. Please stay safe!

Holy Moly!

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Close but no damage to hangars or planes.

It’s around 70.5 acres now

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

It's out now, 77 acres. It was out on Saturday but the "internet" says it is only 35% contained.

@NightCop1985

22 күн бұрын

​@@skywagonuniversity5023 Yea it was near my gma's house so I was keeping a close eye on it. I can't believe the internet would lie like that. Unimaginable.

I would already have flown out!

@johnlucas2037

23 күн бұрын

I’m pretty sure there’s a tfr at the airport

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

I keep my plane there. By the time I learned of the fire, access was already restricted. Unless you were at your plane when the fire started, your plane wasn't going anywhere. - Don the Camera Guy.

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

I was about to fly out with a customer. Came out of the office and saw smoke. The rest is history.

Stay safe and be well

@skywagonuniversity5023

22 күн бұрын

Thank you.

Not cool, hope ur okay mark, from Alberta Canada.

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching, eh!

God bless our fire pilots.

@skywagonuniversity5023

23 күн бұрын

Indeed. - Don the Camera Guy