Thursday, August 07, 2014

Hunterdon Old Ink: Plane to fight brush fires stationed at Solberg-Hunterdon Airport (N51), Readington, New Jersey

1999

ATTACK BY AIR — The state Forest Service has transferred an airplane to Solberg Airport in Readington Township to prepare for a possible forest fire in drought-stricken Hunterdon County.

"Nobody has it any worse than you do in Hunterdon," said Mike Hennessey. He's an assistant division fire warden for the agency, which is part of the parks and forestry division of the state Department of Environmental Protection. The plane and its pilot, Merv Lewis, are on call from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.

The prop plane "holds 250 gallons of water," according to Mr. Hennessey, and is suitable for any forest or brush fire.

"It is not effective on structures, but any kind of wild property, woods or brush, we will send it. We fight fires on state or private land." He said the aircraft is summoned to a scene by rangers who spot fires from fire towers or by dispatchers in the 9-1-1 system.


- Story and photo gallery:  http://www.nj.com

The Easter Bunny arrives at Solberg Airport in 2013. 
Photo by Thor Solberg

A plane takes off from Solberg Airport in Readington in 2010.

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