Los Angeles County Fire Department primarily uses the Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters to fight wildfires, including Tuesday’s at Lake Balboa. These are advanced, specially modified versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter.
Key features of the LA County Firehawk include:
- Water capacity: They can carry up to 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water or fire retardant.
- Quick refill: They can refill their tanks in about 60 seconds using a retractable snorkel.
- Multirole capability: Besides firefighting, they’re equipped for rescue operations and can transport firefighters.
- Night flying ability: They’re equipped for nighttime operations, which is crucial for round-the-clock firefighting efforts.
- Speed: They can travel at speeds up to 160 mph, allowing for rapid response.
The process you’re witnessing is called “snorkeling” or “drafting.” The helicopter hovers low over the water surface, lowers a snorkel or pump, and fills its tank in a matter of seconds. This allows for rapid refilling and return to the fire site.
Lake Balboa, being a reliable water source in the San Fernando Valley, is frequently used for this purpose during wildfire events in the Los Angeles area. This strategy allows firefighters combat fires in urban or wildland-urban interface areas where traditional ground-based firefighting might be challenging.
