Southern California Edison, (SCE), has provided nearly $18 million in funding allowing Los Angeles County Firefighters access to four of the world’s “largest” water-dropping helicopters for fighting Santa Clarita brush fires.
In partnership with SCE, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Ventura County Fire Department the LACoFD introduced four Boeing Chinook helitankers (CH47S) to assist with fighting brush fires throughout areas where Edison provides electricity.
These helicopters are considered the world’s largest fire suppression, retardant-dropping helicopters, according to Fire officials.
The CH47S each have the capacity to carry 3,000 gallons and can fly not only during the day but also for night-time operations.
“We appreciate every opportunity and partnership available that allows us to bolster our air operations fleet, so we may provide even more protection for the communities in our care, especially for those residents living in wildfire-prone areas,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby. “With the impending approval of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, we look forward to collaborating in this unified effort with our partner agencies to combat wildfires.”
See Related: Brush Fires To Airlifts: How L.A. County Fire Helicopters Respond From The Skies
These CH47S are expected to further enhance the Department’s current Air Operations fleet which includes five Sikorsky S70 Firehawks, which are capable of holding a third of the water the helitanker hold at 1,000 gallons, and five Bell 412 helicopters, which hold 360 gallons of water. The helitankers are also expected to work in tandem with the contracted Quebec CL-415 Super Scoopers which are expected to arrive in early September.
In years past, the helitankers respond when an incident commander either requests a second or third alarm response, or if fixed-winged air tankers are requested, according to Fire officials.
“Following the historic 2020 fire season, it is an honor to work with our frontline fire agency partners to help save and protect lives,” said Kevin Payne, SCE president and CEO. “SCE remains committed to reducing the risk of wildfires and supporting the readiness and response efforts of our fire agencies.”
With a hot and dry summer and fall forecasted for the Santa Clarita Valley, firefighters are urging residents to be ready at any given point to evacuate if a fire were to spark.
Fire officials are also urging residents to have proper brush clearance around their homes, to protect them from damage during a fire, and allowing better access points for crews while battling a blaze in residential areas.
For residents who do not have a fire plan in place, or would like to refresh their fire knowledge, can do so by clicking here.
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