In response to the growing threat and with the aim of supporting and improving aerial tactics in combating forest fires, Ecocopter+Helisul has deployed a dozen helicopters to join its fleet in Chile.
In addition to the five Airbus H125 B3s already in operation, five “Titans of the air” are being added: Two Aircrane S64s and three Super Pumas, which reinforce air support in the country.
“We are committed to improving the response capacity to forest fires in the country. The incorporation of these helicopters is a crucial step to ensure that we are prepared to face any emergency, contributing with air resources by incorporating high-impact aircraft that perform a key, safe and efficient task for this type of operations,” said Francisco Arriagada, commercial manager of Ecocopter+Helisul.
Operations in forest bases in strategic areas, aerial combat and the transfer of firefighters on helicopter missions are essential when it comes to extinguishing the fire. For this reason, the company has provided three types of helicopters.
The Aircrane works at the head of the fire, slowing its advance. Its capabilities include a 10,000-liter tank that can be filled by a hose in no more than 35 seconds, a payload capacity of more than 9,000 kilograms with a range of 370 kilometers and/or an autonomy of 2.5 hours.
Then there are the SuperPumas, which belong to the semi-heavy segment, and which can drop up to 3,500 liters of water, have a flight autonomy of up to three hours, and a complete fire-fighting system.
Finally, there are the H125 B3s, equipped with fire extinguishing systems. These helicopters can fly at low altitude, have power, stability, speed and the capacity to release around 1,200 liters of water per discharge, in addition to transporting firefighters, which allows them to operate in extreme conditions, including high temperatures and difficult terrain, providing a quick and efficient response to any emergency.
“The rapid response of our expert crews and the high maneuevrability of the helicopters ensure rapid intervention, even in the most difficult to access areas,” explains Arriagada.
To date, according to official figures from CONAF, this 2024/2025 season, the surface area damaged by forest fires reaches more than 15,000 hectares in 2,300 forest fires. Therefore, the arrival of these air firefighters is essential to extinguish the fire that causes so much damage to people and the environment.
The company also said that, if the emergency so requires, helicopters from the fleet operating outside the country will be available and will remain on alert.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Socialcom.
