More Than 500 Metric Tons Of Water Have Been Dropped By Two H125 Helicopters Operated By HeliAmerica

The Airbus Foundation, in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Center is supporting Bolivia’s efforts against the severe fires currently affecting the country.

An Airbus A330neo test aircraft transported 38 firefighters of the French Civil Security and equipment from Vatry, France, to Bolivia. They will participate in fighting the fires which have already ravaged about five million acres of the Bolivian Amazon.

In cooperation with HeliAmerica, a Bolivian helicopter operator based in St. Cruz department, the Airbus Foundation has offered 45 helicopter flight hours to assess the affected areas. The aircraft have also been used to actively fight the fires with the help of the “bamby bucket” equipment, which can drop more than 200 gallons of water per trip.

During the 3, 4 and 5 September two single engine H125s operated in the area of Concepción, in the Eastern part of the country, dropping more than 500 tonnes of water. The operation has contributed to limit the fires and to prevent them from getting into the communities in the area. Some additional flight hours will be confirmed in the next days.

(Images provided with Airbus Foundation news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com