With increased wildfire activity comes the responsibility to seek proper coordination of our airborne news coverage efforts with interagency aerial firefighters. 
     A good way to coordinate our ENG missions is to meet in person with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) staff in our local areas. Contact them by phone at coordination centers around the country.
     Over all major fires and many smaller ones, "Fire Traffic Area" TFR's will be established.
     To find out where TFR's are located, the NIFC wildfire TFR mapping website is often more current than other government TFR mapping sites. Of course, never depend on just a website for current info on TFR's...always check with the regional Flight Service Station (FSS).
     For wildfires scenes under the jurisdiction of the USFS and other wildfire agencies, specific “Fire Traffic Area” procedures exist and are published on an FTA procedures card. Click on this thumbnail for a full copy:

    You can view a quick FTA training animation here, and see more detailed FTA information at the Interagency Airspace Coordination website. NIFC has also provided a good overview in an FTA background presentation.

       Here is some additional guidance excerpted from the new HAI Broadcast Aviation Safety Manual:

      1. TFR’s  - While FAR 91.137(a)(2) and (a)(3) allow news media aircraft to travel inside  most TFR’s established over events such as wildfires and natural disaster scenes, it is prudent to contact the agency in charge of the airspace to obtain air-to-air coordination frequencies and any additional information that may be of assistance in operating safely.
     FAR 91.137 specifies that media operations are to be conducted above the altitude used by the disaster relief aircraft, unless otherwise authorized by the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities. 91.137 also specifies media aircraft file a flight plan with “the appropriate FAA or ATC facility specified in the Notice to Airmen”.
  The USFS and other wildfire agencies request media aircraft contact the controlling aircraft at least 12 nm from the incident. Upon TFR entrance, media aircraft should remain above the highest incident aircraft or at an altitude and position assigned by the controlling aircraft.

     ENG Pilots should NOT assume that because no TFR was in effect at the time of their departure, that one will not be in effect upon arrival at the scene. Assume there WILL be a TFR, and seek coordination before entering the airspace. If the pilot arrives before emergency aircraft arrive, keep vigilant for the arrival of emergency aircraft and regularly transmit your position on both the incident assigned (victor) frequency and 123.025, or other designated common helicopter frequency for the area. 
        
    NOTE: When FAA staff are reluctant to accept flight plans or provide clearance into TFR’s, the FAA Systems Operation Services in Washington, D.C. now recommends that in addition to FAR 91.137, your local FAA staff also refer to: FAA Order JO 7210.3V “Facility Operation and Administration”, Section 19-2-6(b)5, published February 14, 2008. This order can be accessed online here.