News & commentary about aerial firefighting, air tankers, and helicopters

The retardant-dropping firefighting helicopters in Southern California are crewed 24/7

The Quick Reaction Force, or Aerial Task Force, of four firefighting helicopters began their 165 days of availability in Southern California yesterday. In 2021 the contract was 180 days lasting until about the end of December. This year it is 15 days shorter because the company that operates the helicopters, Coulson, has contractual obligations south of the equator in Australia and South America beginning in mid-December.

The lineup and base locations:

A mobile retardant base is also part of the package which makes it possible for these double-crewed night-flying helicopters to drop retardant throughout the day and night.

The two CH-47s can carry up to approximately 3,000 gallons, the S-61 can hold 1,000 gallons, and the S-76 is used for aerial supervision, target designation, and intelligence gathering.

The mobile retardant base can mix up to 18,000 gallons of fire retardant per hour. The helicopters drop water until the base is established. The Los Angeles County Fire Department produced a time-lapse video of the base being set up, which was the source of the images above, but it can’t be imbedded here. However the first 34 seconds of another video shot at a portable base at the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire in Colorado shows the equipment; for the last two minutes you see helicopters obtaining retardant.

Southern California Edison (SCE) contributed $18 million last year to lease the firefighting equipment in a partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Ventura County Fire Department.

Typos, let us know HERE. And, please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment.

165 day article: “B” Model Cranes 4 MLG Wheels in Video. Great Stuff !!! One more Crane Fun Fact… The PIC usually on Fling Wings are in Right Seat/CP left Seat. If You notice the Bubble Window on Left Side in most Crane Videos including the 165 have a Helmet looking down or back. The seating arrangement and controls have been mechanically moved over a bit to the left for better Load viewing. Knot saying all Cranes are like this but viewed an ERC Utube Video explaining this. Cool Stuff. One Note to Ground Crews setting up Snorkel Fill Tanks or any other type Single Point External Load…… Never (if at all possible) set up a Crane Hover Area over sand. This could be a Recipe for “Brown Out Conditions” ….. For those lucky People who have connected a Load while two P&W 4800 shp Engines are Crankin in a hover You can say its like being in the eye of a Hurricane. Thats My Story for now.

One question: if the helicopter contracts in California end in mid December and the southern overseas contracts begin at the same time, how do they allow for transport of the aircraft and required maintenance before beginning a season? It seems in danger of cutting timelines very tight.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Have a fire aviation news tip? Click here

Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button.