SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - From childhood, Dale Head wanted to be a fireman. His uncle, Herbert Escott, fought fires under Carmichael’s legendary fire chief Danny Donovan. His father (also Dale Head) served Sac City Fire Department. Nine years into his own firefighting career, work-related injuries caused Dale junior’s early retirement.

He’s nevertheless been battling conflagrations for the last 12 years. The Reno-based owner of MindWinder Aviation scrambles when fire bells ring. Flying for the US Forest Service, he carries tactical observers as crew. From 1500 feet above, their reports help coordinate retardant drops from tankers. “We might not be in the thick of it, but flying above fires is not without risks,” says Head. “Helping fight fires is a mission I’m passionate about.”

Also a professional singer, trumpet player and recording artist, Head leads his 17-piece MindWinder Orchestra in gigs all over the nation. His earth and sky careers have similar elements. “When you’re flying a plane, there are rigid rules,” he explains. “Within them, you’re free to make decisions to manage your flight. Playing jazz also has rules. When you know them, there’s no end to choices you can make. You tune an engine like you tune a horn. Two jet-prop engines out of sync are like two trumpets out of tune. When they’re running right, they hum like a horn section in harmony.”

Though the San Juan School District student picked up a trumpet at 11, his real forte was singing. “I sang my heart out riding in the car with my mom,” he recalls. “I did all the Jackson 5 songs. Before my voice changed, I sounded like Marilyn McCoo from the 5^th Dimension.” As a pro singer, he supported gigging around Northern California with various retail jobs. Family tradition nevertheless called: at 27, Head began a Sac City Fire Department career.

Back injuries"'exacerbated by kicking in doors"'eventually extinguished that ambition. He and lawyer wife Winnie moved to Grass Valley and got used to the summer-long roar of aerial tankers on firefighting missions. “I was still a firefighter at heart,” Head says. “I missed being around people you could trust your life to. I decided to get into fire aviation.”

Years of flight studies later, Head occupied a SkyWest Airline cockpit as captain. He eventually bought a small aircraft and offered his services to the US Forest Service. In 12 seasons, the pilot has flown thousands of hours enabling observers to pinpoint where fires can be slowed by retardant drops. “Everything we do is geared to helping crews on the ground,” he explains. “They’re ones who put out fires; it’s a brave, exhausting and anonymous calling.

“We’re privileged as a community to have firefighters. We’re free to enjoy our lives knowing we have a trained, passionate force that’s ready to aid us. I’m also in awe of the crews who drop retardant on fires. They work with amazing precision.”

Though the pandemic has curtailed two years of musical enterprises, Captain Head’s 2020/21 fire seasons were hectic. “From June to August this year, I got home one Saturday,” he says. “You’re on duty up to 14 hours a day and it’s grueling. You can be eating lunch when the phone rings"'and you’re off. On the ground or flying above the flames, everyone who fights wildfires is ready for the first rains.

“I have two passions. One to serve my community, the other to entertain. Disciplines of one job help the other"'if you can stay calm fighting a fire, you can keep your cool in the middle of a performance. Pilots think musicians are flaky. Musicians think pilots are square. And here I am in the middle. When I’m flying, I flip a switch and my instruments are part of me. And when I’m singing or playing my horn, I can tell another pretty story.”

Learn about Dale Head’s enterprises at www.MindWinder.net