Sedona, AZ — The Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority (SOCAA) announces the beginning of the wildfire fighting season here in the local area as the National Forest Service directed a UH-60 helicopter to regionally pre-position to the Sedona Airport as of Tuesday, June 4th.
Helicopter N356AA is specially-equipped with a Helitak FT4500 fire-fighting tank designed to carry approximately 1000 gallons of water depending on conditions. This tank and spraying apparatus take the place of a suspended bucket which comes with restrictions and complications fighting a fire. This equipment is specifically designed for use at the wilderness / urban interface which is common here in Northern Arizona according to fire managers from the Telluride Fire Protection District who were deployed to orchestrate fire-fighting efforts.
It did not take long for that asset to be called into use. Helicopter N356AA took off around 11 am on Wednesday the 5th and in conjunction with other fire-fighting assets, dispatched to a wildfire in the Prescott vicinity.
Airport Manager Ed Rose stated: “We are happy to extend a helping hand and provide a home away from home to the fire fighters as we have done in years past. We welcome the crews and pray for a safe fire-fighting season.”
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1 Comment
Beats having Osprey V-22 aircraft currently under investigation for its numerous crashes and engine malfunctions that is known in the military as “the widow maker” making multiple low and slow passes over Sedona’s most densely populated areas I guess?