PHOTOS: According to the Associated Press, Mark Whaling’s innovative Heli-Hydrant is transforming wildfire response efforts in Southern California. The invention, a small, open tank that rapidly fills with water, allows helicopters to quickly access water for firefighting, reducing the need for long flights to distant lakes or ponds. “When we brought helicopters into the wildland urban interface to fight fire, we didn’t think initially of making permanent hydrants for helicopters,” Whaling said.
The Heli-Hydrant concept emerged from the former firefighter’s experience battling a wildfire in northern Los Angeles County in the early 2000s. He noticed a sealed, million-gallon water tank nearby that firefighters couldn’t access, sparking the idea for a more efficient water source. “The concept of the Heli-hydrant came about by watching helicopters do a great job and then having to take long flights to get water,” Whaling explained.
“It was turning to the water departments themselves and learning what was needed in order to have a good source for a helicopter.” As wildfires become more frequent, Whaling’s invention is gaining attention from officials eager to enhance preparedness, particularly in drought-prone areas like Cabazon in Riverside County. Michael Pollack, General Manager for the Cabazon Water District, highlighted the benefits of the Heli-Hydrants.
