Mich. members hear from flying firefighter for Interior Dept.

 

 

(1)
Matt Jurgensen makes use of a PowerPoint slide while discussing types of aircraft used in firefighting missions.

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Matt Jurgensen receiving a certificate of appreciation from Capt Antonio Gutierrez for his presentation.


1st Lt David J. D'Arcy
Public Affairs Officer
Lakeshore 119th Composite Squadron
Michigan Wing

MICHIGAN – Members of the Lakeshore 119th Composite Squadron heard a presentation on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s firefighting activities from Matthew Jurgensen, a Grand Haven native and agency employee who flies in response to fires across the country.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Jurgensen has flown more than 10,000 hours. He totaled 87 of those as a cropduster, a job he said contributed to developing the skills for firefighting flights.
 
In discussing methods for combating fires, he said that developing a fire break in front of a blaze is usually more effective than raining retardant directly onto the fire. The most effective approach is target a natural barrier — like a river, stream or roadways — and then drop retardant on its far side, away from the fire, Jurgensen added.

Usually, he noted, a smaller spotter aircraft lays down smoke along the route the larger aircraft carrying retardant is to drop.
Jurgensen had been allotted 45 minutes to present his program, but his presentation was so interesting that the squadron’s commander, Capt. Antonio Gutierrez, allowed him to continue for another 40 minutes.