The Mendocino County Cooperative air patrol flew for its 60th year this summer and is looking toward another year of service in 2010.

The air patrol that flies the county to spot fires has seen a decrease in funding in recent years, but it looks as though it will be in the air for another year.

Comptche rancher Larry Tunzi is the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department chief. Tunzi also serves on the Co-op's board of directors. "I support the Co-op patrol because I feel it is important to detect fires," Tunzi said, "I think it is my responsibility to the community, to the board and also as a responsible land owner," Tunzi said.

The patrol plane can help to spot and then give directions to a fire that may be down a maze of timberland roads, for example.

Comptche Fire Department is often the first department at the scene. "For our department we are normally the first ground troops on scene because of our location," said Tunzi.

Cal Fire Unit Chief Chris Rowney said there are a lot of variables to funding the patrol. Changing factors include how many donors will step up and the costs of flying the single-engine plane that contracts to fly for the Co-op.

"Based on the board of directors' action we are probably going to be OK," Rowney said.

In a timber-laden county like Mendocino, especially in more prosperous times, an air-patrol had increased value. An air patrol co-op can also be considered advantageous where homes are scarce.

"A lot were put together in areas with heavy timber value," Rowney said.

Jann Smith, a Cal Fire employee, noted that in these times it is not easy to gather money. "Right now we look forward to 2010," Smith said. "We believe we have funding if subscriptions come in as it has been coming in," said Smith.

Contributors to the air patrol pay a six cents per acre fee. Last summer Cal Fire representatives reported that subscribers were down from more than 200 to about 80.

It costs about $500 to fly the plane and about $40,000 per season.

Source: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_14139711