Helicopters on firefighting missions

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We review the importance and key role of helicopters on missions forest firefighting in our country and in the region. FAE photo communication

The Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) has once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection and national security by participating in a large-scale operation to combat forest fires in the province of Store, Ecuador and also supporting the multiple fires that have occurred in Quito.

These days there has been a lot of talk about the role of helicopters that have the FFAA and Firefighters of Quito, as well as an idea that I have been saying for years: have dedicated firefighting aircraft that are from a country or a regional bloc, whether owned or leased.

Why is it a good idea to have a firefighting plane?

Firefighting helicopters

With climate change becoming more evident, higher temperatures, less rain and irresponsible people who start fires, It is important to advance in the analysis of having adequate equipment to combat forest fires. Each territory has its particularity, your challenges and needs, so a plane or a helicopter will not always be the solution, Therefore, multiple aircraft must be considered for these functions..

Today we are going to review the importance of helicopters, that in practice, They are more convenient to enter isolated or highly mountainous places, fast charging and in any water source, but they also have challenges when visibility is reduced or wind exceeds operational limits..

Another point is the difference in the much smaller load that these transport compared to an airplane.. For instance, a helicopter I could take from 273 a 3800 liters of water per discharge (depending on system size and helicopter load capacity) and a plane like a Hercules could 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 Air Force Peru and Colombia, carried out a series of aerial missions to extinguish the fires that threatened the cantons of Quilanga and Quinara. Thanks to the activation of the Cooperation System between the American Air Forces (SICOFFA), A rapid and coordinated response to this emergency was achieved.

During the operation, a variety of specialized aircraft and equipment were used, including the FAE helicopter Airbus H145, the C-27J Spartan aircraft and two MI-17 helicopters of the Peruvian Air Force (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 joint operation were highly positive. A total of 33 air missions, accumulating 49 hours and 30 flight minutes. Thanks to the rapid intervention and coordinated work of the air forces involved, forest fires were controlled and extinguished, thus safeguarding the biodiversity of the region and protecting local communities.

While the emergency response was crucial to control the situation, It is essential to remember that prevention is the best tool to avoid forest fires. The FAE He called on the population to become aware of the importance of caring for the environment and to avoid practices that could generate fires..

This operation demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in the management of emergencies and natural disasters. Given the complexity of the terrain, The helicopters were key to achieving faster control of the fire and confirm the need to have regional collaboration for these events that will increase in frequency and severity..

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