Helicopters
Helicopters were first used on wildland fires in 1947. They are highly maneuverable and can be used in various capacities in fire suppression efforts. Helicopters can transport firefighters to a fire, as well as aid in the emergency transport of injured fire personnel.
photo by spotfireimages
Helicopters vary in their methods of water/retardant delivery and water retrieval. They can be equipped with “buckets” or fixed tanks to deliver water or retardant to the fire-line. Some helicopters are equipped with a special “snorkel” with which to suck up water from a dip site. A certain Erikson brand helicopter can fill a 2500 gallon+ tank in approximately 45 seconds (in water as shallow as 18 inches), making it a highly effective firefighting tool. Smaller helicopters, such as the Bell 206 JetRanger, can be used to do precision water drops to protect single structures (such as homes or cabins).
Helicopters are divided into classes (Type I, II, or III) based on their capabilities. A Type I helicopter is classified as one that has an allowable payload of 5,000 lbs, can carry 15+ passengers, and holds 700 gallons of water/retardant. A type III helicopter, on the other hand, has an allowable payload of 1,200 lbs, can carry 4-8 passengers, and holds 100 gallons of water/retardant.
Certain firefighters, known as rapellers, are specially trained and equipped to rappel from helicopters into remote fire locations.
Helicopters are also used to assist in prescribed burning; they can be outfitted with helitorches, which drip burning fuel onto the prescribed burn area, or they can disperse flaming “ping-pong-like” ignition materials from Aerial Ignition Devices into the area to be burned.