SuperScooper Purchases

Re “County Should Buy Its Own SuperScoopers,” June 18.

Those who advocate buying a SuperScooper demonstrate a complete lack of understanding regarding catastrophic wildfire and fire weather, lack of knowledge regarding chaparral and, most importantly, a severe misunderstanding regarding aircraft deployment under severe Santa Ana wind conditions.

First and foremost, as evidenced in the 1996 Calabasas fire, high winds grounded the aircraft (the distance from end of the runway at Van Nuys [Airport] to the fire was less than 8 miles!). Second, the SuperScooper is a single purpose in that it may be only used for fires, whereas helicopters are multiuse.

Finally, to drop water all over the Santa Monica, Santa Susana and San Gabriel mountains via aircraft would cost at least $100 a gallon. This would continue the practice of allowing chaparral to build up and explode under extremely dry weather conditions.

Instead of continuing to waste public funds on a proven loser, how about requiring homeowners in high-hazard fire areas to clear their brush? What a unique idea! If there are no structures involved, let the fires burn themselves out and allow the chaparral ecosystem to function.

SCOTT E. FRANKLIN

Santa Clarita

Editor’s note: Franklin is a retired L.A. County Fire Department vegetation management officer.

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After the Malibu fire, I sent my Los Angeles County Supervisor a plan to acquire or lease two SuperScoopers. The plan included a deployment plan, a flight and ground maintenance plan. It provided for the utilization of the aircraft for any major fire disaster, not limited to Los Angeles County, where the SuperScooper could be utilized to supplement all other fire assets. No response as usual. I also sent a copy of the plan to the [chief executive] of my insurance carrier, who sustained millions of dollars in losses due to the magnitude of the fire. I suggested the insurance industry could benefit policyholders if they would assist in lobbying for such a program. It was also suggested that the industry may want to develop an annual financial maintenance support program, to Los Angeles County. As normal, no answer.

To create a new approach to a lingering major problem requires leadership. Neither the county supervisors nor the major insurance carriers in California have demonstrated such capability. Money can rebuild homes but not replace priceless personal losses.

RICHARD M. JIMMINK

Maj., USAFR (Ret.)

Tujunga