VIDEO: Cal Fire’s Kneeland Helitack Base has introduced a powerful new addition to its fleet: the Sikorsky S-70i “Fire Hawk” helicopter. This state-of-the-art aircraft is part of a new generation of firefighting tools, capable of dropping up to 1,000 gallons of water or foam with precision over fast-moving fires. “We have more lift capabilities, it flies faster, there’s a lot more power we can get where we need to go faster,” said Forestry Fire Pilot, Colin Burton. Cal Fire began acquiring these advanced helicopters in 2018 to replace their aging Huey fleet.
Equipped with a twin turbine engine, night vision capability, and a 250-mile range, the Fire Hawk can operate day or night in tough terrain.”Primarily these copters are used for suppressing wildfires, but they are also used in rescues, medevacs. This copter, unlike our previous helicopter, has a permanently mounted hoist where we can extract patients from remote areas that are most likely inaccessible by other means,” said Unit Chief Cal Fire Humboldt Del Norte Unit, Kurt McCray. “Very versatile machine. We can do a lot with it. I think it’s going to really benefit the community,” added Ed Peebles, Helitack Captain.
