NJFFSA16
11-07-2003, 01:25 AM
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Citing faster response times, the West
Virginia Division of Forestry has replaced its rented firefighting
airplane with a helicopter.
Marpat Aviation in Switzer is charging the state $39,450 to keep
a helicopter on standby this month, when the threat of wildfires is
at its worst, Assistant State Forester Mathew Dillon said.
In addition, the agency will pay $700 for each hour the
helicopter is used.
"It's an expensive tool, but it saves so many acres and so much
time," Dillon said.
Although helicopters fly more slowly than planes, choppers are
able to use collapsible buckets to collect up to 325 gallons from
lakes, rivers or other water sources within two miles of a fire
rather than having to reload with water at the closest airport.
That allows the helicopter to dump more water on a fire much
more quickly, Dillon said.
"It's an initial attack tool that really knocks down the fire's
force and lets the ground forces get in there and suppress the fire
much quicker," he said.
The helicopter will be available statewide but based at the
Logan County airport and used primarily in the southern coalfields
where most large wildfires occur, Dillon said.
The helicopter is the state's only fire suppression aircraft.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Virginia Division of Forestry has replaced its rented firefighting
airplane with a helicopter.
Marpat Aviation in Switzer is charging the state $39,450 to keep
a helicopter on standby this month, when the threat of wildfires is
at its worst, Assistant State Forester Mathew Dillon said.
In addition, the agency will pay $700 for each hour the
helicopter is used.
"It's an expensive tool, but it saves so many acres and so much
time," Dillon said.
Although helicopters fly more slowly than planes, choppers are
able to use collapsible buckets to collect up to 325 gallons from
lakes, rivers or other water sources within two miles of a fire
rather than having to reload with water at the closest airport.
That allows the helicopter to dump more water on a fire much
more quickly, Dillon said.
"It's an initial attack tool that really knocks down the fire's
force and lets the ground forces get in there and suppress the fire
much quicker," he said.
The helicopter will be available statewide but based at the
Logan County airport and used primarily in the southern coalfields
where most large wildfires occur, Dillon said.
The helicopter is the state's only fire suppression aircraft.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)