Category Archives: The Liminal Times

Snorkeling Lake Balboa

Los Angeles County Fire Department primarily uses the Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters to fight wildfires, including Tuesday’s at Lake Balboa. These are advanced, specially modified versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter.

Key features of the LA County Firehawk include:

  1. Water capacity: They can carry up to 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water or fire retardant.
  2. Quick refill: They can refill their tanks in about 60 seconds using a retractable snorkel.
  3. Multirole capability: Besides firefighting, they’re equipped for rescue operations and can transport firefighters.
  4. Night flying ability: They’re equipped for nighttime operations, which is crucial for round-the-clock firefighting efforts.
  5. Speed: They can travel at speeds up to 160 mph, allowing for rapid response.

The process you’re witnessing is called “snorkeling” or “drafting.” The helicopter hovers low over the water surface, lowers a snorkel or pump, and fills its tank in a matter of seconds. This allows for rapid refilling and return to the fire site.

Lake Balboa, being a reliable water source in the San Fernando Valley, is frequently used for this purpose during wildfire events in the Los Angeles area. This strategy allows firefighters combat fires in urban or wildland-urban interface areas where traditional ground-based firefighting might be challenging.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Anchors Away

Missing the Boat

It is not so much that the boat passed and you failed to notice it.

It is more like the boat stopping directly outside your bedroom window,

the captain blowing the signal-horn, the band playing a rousing march.

The boat shouted, waving bright flags, its silver hull blinding in the sunlight.

But you had this idea you were going by train.

You kept checking the time-table, digging for tracks.

And the boat got tired of you, so tired it pulled up the anchor and raised the ramp.

The boat bobbed into the distance, shrinking like a toy-

at which point you probably realized you had always loved the sea.

Naomi Shihab-Nye

Hummingbird

My grandmother called me hummingbird,

because of fragile wings,

but you do not have to be strong, she said.

You do not have to carry the weight of the world

on your wings, rushing from flower to flower.

You only have to follow the beat of your heart,

let the air hold you as it always has.

Tell me about the quiet moments, yours,

and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile, the day unfolds.

Meanwhile, light dances on leaves,

flowers open in brief, brilliant bloom,

and the hummingbirds, swift and delicate,

trace their paths through the air.

Whoever you are, no matter how burdened,

the garden offers its quiet to you,

calling you like the hum of wings—

over and over reminding you

of your place in the pulse of life.