They’ve always been grounded at sunset
Helicopter team pilot Kim Hatch holds his helmet. The attached night vision goggles allow him to fight wildfires at night.
A helicopter drags a Bambi Bucket full of water through the sky on its way to quench hot spots at the front of the Museum Fire burning in Flagstaff in July. Nighttime flying is being tested to jump on fires early before they spread.
It might be a slow wildfire season, but crews are still busy preparing. Colorado’s helicopter unit is taking advantage of the lull to train to be the first state team in the country that can fight fire at night.
The state sees it as a necessary tool as wildfires become more common with climate change. Nearly 3 million Coloradans now live in or near areas that are prone to wildland fire. That number has gone up 45% in the last five years.
“There is a particular need, especially in Colorado, to hop on these fires when they’re small and put them out when they’re small,” said Whitney Murphy, helicopter team manager with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Read the rest of the story at Colorado Public Radio.
