San Bernardino Fire, 1956
Water-bombing and chemical-dropping planes were ultimately what assisted in putting out the fire. On the fifth day of burning, The Washington Post reported that the fire was 100% contained and no longer spreading. These chemicals created a barrier around the fire that it could not travel past, making it easier for firefighters to fight the flames from the ground [5].
[1] “Planes Help Douse Fire Started by Jet Crash,” The Washington Post and Times Herald (September 26, 1956), 1. “Air Crash Causes Big Forest Fire,” South China Morning Post (September 24, 1956), 1. “Famed Mountain Resort Menaced By ‘Fire Storm’,” South China Morning Post (September 25, 1956), 1. “San Bernardino Forest Fire Rages for Fourth Day,” New York Times (September 25, 1956), 1. “Forest Fire Spreading In California,” The Austin Statesman (September 24, 1956), 2.
[2] “San Bernardino Forest Fire Rages for Fourth Day,” New York Times (September 25, 1956), 1. “Famed Mountain Resort Menaced By ‘Fire Storm’,” South China Morning Post (September 25, 1956), 1.
[3] “Forest Fire Spreading In California,” The Austin Statesman (September 24, 1956), 2.
[4] “Smoke Lifts, Planes Fight Coast Blaze: California Forest Fire Rages On,” New York Herald Tribune (September 25, 1956), 1.
[5]“Planes Help Douse Fire Started by Jet Crash,” The Washington Post and Times Herald (September 26, 1956), 1.
— Ryan Deack