"Depending on how close the fire is to the water source, you can be scooping, dropping, and returning in 8 to 10 minutes," said Neil Sweeney, CEO of De Havilland. Despite their impressive capabilities, California has not purchased any of these aircraft, rather choosing to lease them for 90-day increments, according to LA County Fire Department's public information officer.
"Our helicopters are able to quickly access water and drop it in areas that planes may not be able to reach," said Chief Daniel Berlant, California's State Fire Marshal. "They can dip into a stream, lake, or even someone's swimming pool," highlighting the importance of versatile firefighting methods in varied terrains.
"You're going to increase the salinity, which may make it difficult for plants to grow," explained Michael Gollner, director of UC Berkeley's Fire Research Lab. He emphasized the long-term environmental impact of using ocean water in firefighting efforts.
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