US EditionUrban fires can mean long trips for helicopters to get water. One firefighter had a better idea
- In the early 2000s, firefighter Mark Whaling and his team struggled to keep ahead of flames in a wildfire near Los Angeles County, hindered by the need for helicopters to travel long distances to refill water, which allowed the fire to damage homes.
- Frustrated by firefighters' lack of access to a nearby sealed million-gallon water tank, Whaling devised the Heli-Hydrant, a small, rapidly fillable open tank for helicopters.
- Southern California began utilizing Heli-Hydrants during a major 2020 wildfire near Yorba Linda, and since then, has installed 10 units with plans for 16 additional ones to enhance helicopter support in urban fire response.
- The $300,000 Heli-Hydrant in Cabazon fills 8,500 gallons in six minutes, can be remotely activated from half a mile away, and enables helicopters to refill in under a minute.
- Helicopters using Heli-Hydrants shorten refill times crucial for battling increasingly frequent wildfires, though pilots sometimes choose natural sources offering more maneuvering space.
56 Articles
56 Articles
Pasadena Star News
Daily BulletinUrban fires can mean long trips for helicopters to get water. One LA firefighter had a better idea
By DORANY PINEDA and BRITTANY PETERSON, Associated Press CABAZON — Mark Whaling and a crew raced up and down a hill in a tanker truck as they battled a wildfire in Los Angeles County, scrambling to get water from a street hydrant in time to stay ahead of flames moving up a ridge. A helicopter flew in to drop water, but it had to fly a long distance to refill — and a fire that might have been stopped went on to destroy homes. As they fought that…
Urban fires can mean long trips for helicopters to get water. One California firefighter had a better idea
By DORANY PINEDA and BRITTANY PETERSON, Associated Press CABAZON — Mark Whaling and a crew raced up and down a hill in a tanker truck as they battled a wildfire in Los Angeles County, scrambling to get water from a street hydrant in time to stay ahead of flames moving up a ridge. A helicopter flew in to drop water, but it had to fly a long distance to refill — and a fire that might have been stopped went on to destroy homes. As they fought that…
Associated Press News
Urban fires can mean long trips for helicopters to get water. One firefighter had a better idea
Retired firefighter Mark Whaling knows firsthand what it’s like to wait on a helicopter to refill on water while he's battling a blaze on the ground.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
