Helicopters on firefighting missions

We review the importance and key role of helixópteros on missions forest firefighting in our país and in the regionón. Photos tell usón FAE

The Force AéEcuadorian area (FAE) has proven onceás its commitment to protectionón of the environment and national security when participating in an operationón large-scale operation to combat forest fires in the province of Store, Ecuador and alsoén supporting the múmultiple fires that have occurred in Quito.

In these daysíMuch has been said about the functionón of the propellersópteros that have the FFAA and Firefighters of Quito, as wellén an idea that I have been saying forños: have dedicated firefighting aircraft that are one país or a regional bloc, whether owned or leased.

¿Becauseé It is a good idea to have an avióno fire?

Helicófire fighting pteros

With climate changeátitic every timeás evident, temperatures más high, less rain and irresponsible people who start fires, It is important to move forward in theálysis of having adequate equipment to fight forest fires. Each territory has its particularity, their challengesíos and needs, so an avión o one helixóptero not always beá the solutionón, That's why you should think about meúmultiple aircraft for these functions.

Today we are going to review the importance of helixópteros, that in the práctic, son más convenient to enter isolated or highly mountainous placesñBONE, load ráask and at any water source, but alsoén have challengeíos when visibility is reduced or the wind exceeds the limits.íoperational mites.

Another point is the difference in the much smaller load that these transport compared to an airplane.ón. For instance, a helixóptero I could take from 273 a 3800 liters of water per discharge (themselvesún sizeño the system and load capacity of the propelleróptero) and an avión like a Hercules couldíto download 15100 liters for every time.

Fire in Loja, an example

Of the 30 from August to 4 September 2024, the FAE, in conjunction with the A Forceséareas of Perú and Colombia, ledó carry out a series of missions toéareas to extinguish the fires that threatened the cantons of Quilanga and Quinara. Thanks to the activationón of the Cooperation Systemón between Forces AéAmerican areas (SICOFFA), was achievedó an answer ráask and coordinated in the face of this emergency.

Durante la operationón, a variety of specialized aircraft and equipment were used, including the propelleróFAE ptero Airbus H145, the grandfatherón C-27J Spartan y double helicómi-17 ptero Force AéPeruvian area (FAP). These teams were equipped with Bambi Bucket systems, with which they were made 125 water discharges, adding a total of 301.000 liters of water used to fight the flames.

The results of this operationón jointly they were highly positive. A total of 33 missions toéreas, accumulating 49 hours and 30 flight minutes. Thanks to the ráAsk Interventionón and the coordinated work of the forceséareas involved, was achievedó control and extinguish forest fires, safeguarding theí the biodiversity of the regionón and protecting local communities.

While the emergency response was crucial to control the situationón, It is essential to remember that preventionón is the best tool to prevent forest fires. The FAE He called on the populationón to become aware of the importance of caring for the environment and to avoidátactics that can cause fires.

It's an operationón demonstrates the importance of cooperationón international in managementón of emergencies and natural disasters. Given the complexity of the terrain, the helicalsópteros were key to achieving greater controlás rárequest of the fire and confirms the need for collaborationón regional for these events to goán increasing in frequency and severity.