Uncontrolled wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base continues to rage; Threatens SpaceX & ULA pads - Polidicks

[thumb]http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/slc3.jpeg[/thumb] [QUOTE]The escalating wildfire at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base grew even larger Monday despite the round-the-clock efforts of firefighters trying to bring the blaze under control before it threatens United Launch Alliance and SpaceX launch pads used by Atlas 5, Delta 4 and Falcon 9 rockets. Firefighters on the ground and in the air have been battling for two days to gain control of the fire, which was just 6 percent contained late Monday and had consumed 6,000 acres. An unknown cause sparked the fire around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in a remote canyon on South Base. It led officials to cancel Sunday morning’s Atlas 5 launch to deliver the commercial WorldView 4 Earth-imaging satellite into space for DigitalGlobe so that fire crews could remain in place. [/QUOTE] [url]http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/09/20/uncontrolled-wildfire-at-vandenberg-air-force-base-continues-to-rage/[/url]

I would expect they're over blowing the risk. By their very nature the pads will have a large buffer zone around them.

when the pentagon talks about the national defense consiquenceses of global warming, this was one of their warnings. too bad congress still has a firm belief that it doesnt exist or that if it does we shouldnt do anything about it

[URL="iscaliforniaonfire.com"]iscaliforniaonfire.com[/URL] [sp]the answer is always yes[/sp]

[img]http://puu.sh/rhNLj/b1443c2a79.jpg[/img] [url]https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=37.055177%2C-120.454102&spn=17.505593%2C18.720703&hl=en&msa=0&z=5&source=embed&ie=UTF8&mid=1ZpcZ8OMZh1G1XwRmt9GaCwH6f-g[/url] [img]http://puu.sh/rhNEG/265c6db292.jpg[/img] It probably wouldn't completely destroy the pads, but it would hinder West coast launches for some time. Not to mention the Delta 4 rocket and payload, and SpaceX payloads that are still at the pad would be a complete loss.

[QUOTE]VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Base officials estimate that the fire has expanded to over 6000 acres. Approximately 600 firefighters from over 50 agencies are combating the blaze. This afternoon the fire intensified due to increased winds and terrain, which moved the flames closer to developed areas of South base and toward launch facilities. Officials evacuated this part of the base as a precautionary measure. The fire growth is expected to slow tonight due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Crews will continue reinforcing containment lines through the night and airdrops will continue at sunrise. More information to follow as the situation develops, and the current situation is subject to change. [/QUOTE] [url]http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/949197/crews-fight-vandenberg-afb-wildland-fire-update[/url]

How would you prevent wildfires from happening?

[QUOTE=Royalpain;51079431]How would you prevent wildfires from happening?[/QUOTE] Controlled burns can help mitigate how big they can get. This forest hasn't burned in over 40 years apparently.

Considering this is an USAF base, they must be able to muster more power than God, surely?! Made this for comparison: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/RLwwK4E.png[/IMG] Also, their PDF: [url]http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/Portals/18/documents/CANYON%20FIRE%20UPDATE%20-%201-9.pdf[/url]

[QUOTE=Bradyns;51079437]Considering this is an USAF base, they must be able to muster more power than God, surely?![/QUOTE] Bomb the fire. USAF vs. Canyon Fire

[QUOTE=OvB;51079444]Bomb the fire. USAF vs. Canyon Fire[/QUOTE] That is definitely possible according to Ace Combat V

Well with enough bewm then there would be no oxygen for the fire...

I seriously doubt the USAF will sacrifice their militaristic launch capabilities on the West coast - they will defend it.

JC's after the universal constructor

honestly a carpeting bombing probably [I]could[/I] work like doing controlled burns to clear out wildfire fuel but, y'know, with bombs

[QUOTE=Dr. Evilcop;51080648]honestly a carpeting bombing probably [I]could[/I] work like doing controlled burns to clear out wildfire fuel but, y'know, with bombs[/QUOTE] Its like stomping out a flame with a boot. A really big boot.

[QUOTE=OvB;51079444]Bomb the fire. USAF vs. Canyon Fire[/QUOTE] Bombs can snuff out fire. The Soviet union killed a underground gas fire at Urtabulak back in 1966 and a few more after that with nukes. Granted, it was done by burying the gas-vents where the fire came from, but still!

[QUOTE=Riller;51080917]Bombs can snuff out fire. The Soviet union killed a underground gas fire at Urtabulak back in 1966 and a few more after that with nukes. Granted, it was done by burying the gas-vents where the fire came from, but still![/QUOTE] Explosions are used to kill oil well fires, too. The shock wave blasts the oxygen away from the fuel, snuffing out the flame. Sort of like blowing out a candle. Might be hard on such a large fire with so much flame unless you had a really big explosion.

[QUOTE=Royalpain;51079431]How would you prevent wildfires from happening?[/QUOTE] Throwing cigarettes out of your car window is a $1,000 fine. That oughta help a little

[QUOTE=TheTalon;51082683]Throwing cigarettes out of your car window is a $1,000 fine. That oughta help a little[/QUOTE] In NSW it can be considered 'aggravated littering', which for an individual is 30 penalty units (1unit = $110), so a maximum $3,300 fine. [URL="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/poteoa1997455/s145a.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=cigarette"]Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 - Section 145A (Aggravated littering)[/URL] We take it rather seriously - any fire-prone region should.

[QUOTE=Bradyns;51082749]In NSW it can be considered 'aggravated littering', which for an individual is 30 penalty units (1unit = $110), so a maximum $3,300 fine. [URL="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/poteoa1997455/s145a.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=cigarette"]Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 - Section 145A (Aggravated littering)[/URL] We take it rather seriously - any fire-prone region should.[/QUOTE] On top of manslaughter charges if the fire kills anyone.