The Deer Creek Wildfire in southeastern Utah has grown into a major threat, burning over 14,000 acres and endangering communities across state lines. Helicopter firefighting has become vital in this crisis, offering fast response, aerial suppression, and crucial support to ground crews. The wildfire’s strength even spawned a rare and powerful fire tornado, highlighting the dangerous conditions firefighters are confronting. …
In a bold step to combat the growing threat of wildfires, the Greek government has expanded its aerial surveillance network by significantly increasing its fleet of Greece wildfire drones. The country now operates approximately 82 advanced surveillance drones, up from around 45, to assist in early fire detection and enhance real-time decision-making across high risk regions during the 2025 wildfire …
As wildfires grow more frequent and intense worldwide, aerial support has become a vital part of firefighting efforts. Among the tools emergency teams rely on, helicopters designed for aerial firefighting stand out. These aircraft excel at reaching remote areas, delivering thousands of gallons of water or retardant, and aiding ground crews. Below, we explore the top 5 firefighting helicopters in …
The Firefighting Sikorsky S-92 marks a revolutionary advancement in wildfire suppression with the debut of the world’s first S-92 specifically configured for aerial firefighting. This heavy-lift helicopter combines a large payload capacity with rapid deployment flexibility and specialized firefighting systems, setting a new standard in aerial wildfire response. Game-Changer for Aerial Wildfire Response First unveiled at Verticon 2025, the Firefighting …
The Role of Fire and Rescue Helicopters in Combating Wildfires Fire and rescue helicopters are indispensable tools in wildfire management, especially during the recent intense and rapidly spreading Los Angeles wildfires. These helicopters provide aerial support, enabling firefighters to access challenging terrains and deliver water and fire retardant directly to critical areas. This capability not only accelerates containment efforts but …
Development of the Bell 214B Big Lifter The Bell 214B Big Lifter is a remarkable helicopter, developed from the successful Bell 204 and 205 series. Initially designed in the early 1970s, the Bell 214 was created to meet the demands for a high-performance, heavy-lift helicopter. The design incorporated a powerful engine and advanced rotor system to ensure superior lift capabilities …
The invention and development of the “Bambi Bucket” revolutionized aerial firefighting by enabling helicopters to drop large volumes of water on fires in remote or hard-to-reach locations. This innovative tool has become an essential component of firefighting efforts worldwide, and its evolution has greatly improved firefighting capabilities. The Bambi Bucket was first developed in the early 1980s by Don Arney, …
April 22 marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement that began in 1970, Earth Day. At the time, the U.S. was utilizing leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Smoke and sludge were discarded into the environment without a care about the consequences. Mainstream media remained oblivious to environmental concerns as the stage was being set for change. First, public …
As wildfires increasingly rage across the US, first responders are relying more and more on aircraft for firefighting operations. Given that helicopters can operate in a variety of weather conditions and at varying altitudes, they allow crews to access fires more closely and precisely. Aircraft manufacturers, researchers, and first responders say wildfires are most efficiently extinguished with 1,000-gallon tanks along …
Santee Drone Helicopter Interference A helicopter that was attempting to extinguish a brush fire in Santee, a suburb of San Diego, California, was forced to stop operations after a drone entered its airspace. The Santee drone helicopter interference delayed the firefighting efforts as the San Diego Sheriff’s Department attempted to evacuate area residents threatened by the blaze. According to fire …