Malibu Set to Counter Fire Season With World’s Largest Helitanker

Emergency - Emergency Services - Firefighting - Helicopter Services

Malibu’s helistop above Topanga Canyon is being prepared to aid the Chinook 47, which has a 3,000-gallon capacity.

MALIBU, CA – Wildfires are the primary threat to public safety in Malibu. Therefore, with another fire season closing in, it has had to go all out.

On Tuesday, Malibu disclosed that the 69 Bravo helistop, a state-of-the-art refilling site, based at Topanga Canyon’s peak, is getting an upgrade to aid the largest fire fighting helicopter, Boeing CH-Chinook 47.

Ventura, Orange, and Los Angeles County Fire Departments have also obtained use of the Chinook 47 in anticipation of the fire season starting June 15. The three copters will be positioned within a flight period of 14 minutes from 69 Bravo.

To accommodate the huge capacity of the helicopters, 69 Bravo’s 6,000-gallon rubber water containers are getting enhanced to metal containers which will hold 8,000 gallons of water. The amenity has self-replenishing vessels which hold 10,000 gallons of water, along with water storage and plug-ins to fire hydrants.

In November 2020, the Chinook 47 copters were tested as they were flown past Malibu and over the Santa Monica peaks to get them ready for the impending wildfires. This exercise was a result of a combined effort by Orange and Los Angeles counties through the Expedited Resource Response Plan Pilot Program.

“It is essential that we carry on with our partnership to our peers to give each other crucially required ground and air resources which are needed at short notice, specifically in extensive wild-fire events when lives and possessions are at risk, ” Daryl Osby, Los Angeles County Fire Chief said.

Paul Grisanti, Malibu Mayor, also had this to say, “Given the threat of a bigger wildfire in Malibu, it is comforting to see the spectacular abilities of Chinook helitankers and Bravo 69 in place, and ready to counter fires in the community.”

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