Aerial FireFighting
Saving Lives and Property
We are proud to support Forest Service fire suppression with a range of firefighting aircraft. From dropping water and retardant to carrying cargo and crews, Columbia’s aerial firefighting capabilities are broad and our experience deep.
Bigger and Better
Columbia Helicopters has a robust firefighting capability that includes the Columbia Model 234 LR and Columbia CH-47D Chinooks equipped with the world’s largest internal tanks. In addition, all our aircraft are capable of using the Bambi bucket to fight fires. Whatever aircraft or equipment our customers choose, Columbia delivers effective, cost-effective fire fighting helicopters, equipment and crews.
2,800 Gallon Tanks
Columbia Helicopters flies the Columbia Model 234 LR Chinook and the Columbia CH-47D Chinooks with SIMPLEX Model 347 Fire Attack™ System internal water tanks. The system includes a 2,800 gallon internal tank with a 140-gallon retardant reservoir and a 12-foot-long, 10-inch diameter hover pump. Water can be dropped in less than four seconds and refilled in less than 60. The system was developed for installation with minimal aircraft provisioning, making installation fast and cost effective.
Buckets
Heavy-lift helicopters use buckets to carry and deploy up to 2,650 gallons of water and chemical retardants, and our Columbia CH-47D Chinooks have the lowest cost per gallon delivery of any fire-fighting helicopter. SEI Torrentula Bambi Buckets each carry four high-speed pumps that can fill buckets in less than 90 seconds from water sources as shallow as 18 inches.
Watch Columbia Model 234 LR Chinook
Columbia Model 234 LR Chinook
Industry’s first Standard Transport Category Firefighting helicopter
19 passenger configuration
2,800 gallon internal fire tank
5.5 hour range