GA pilots can play a vital role in supporting air traffic controllers by reporting fires and assisting in search operations. [Credit: Los Angeles County Fire Department]
Key Takeaways:
Pilots are often requested by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to assist with critical observation tasks, such as reporting fires, oil slicks, or searching for emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signals, and should comply when possible.
It is crucial for pilots to report any fires observed from the air to ATC immediately, as early notification aids rapid emergency response and can prevent significant damage.
Wildfires can rapidly escalate, leading to hazardous flying conditions due to smoke and heat, as well as operational impacts like Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and airport closures.
During fire season, pilots should regularly check for TFRs, have alternate landing plans, and always avoid flying into smoke.
Have you ever been flying and had the control tower or ATC ask if you see a fire or oil slick, ask you to check for an ELT signal in a certain area, or ask if you have seen a downed aircraft? When those types of questions are asked, someone is having—or is about to have—a very bad day.
It definitely gets your attention.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![GA pilots can play a vital role in supporting air traffic controllers by reporting fires and assisting in search operations. [Credit: Los Angeles County Fire Department]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gg3ttJLaIAAYuBH-1.jpg)
