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Temporary Helibase established at Tehachapi Airport
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Posted by editor Mon Jul 2, 2007 15:39:16 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments A temporary fire suppression helibase was established last week at Tehachapi Airport for the “heavy” helicopters assisting fire crews with containment of the “White Fire,” 20 miles northeast of Rosamond.

Tehachapi Airport Manager Dave Zweigel said the temporary helibase has proved an extremely valuable asset to the White Fire command.

“It’s exceptionally hard for these types of large rotorcraft to operate in an unimproved area,” said Zweigel, who explained that the all light aircraft was cleared from the ramp area as the rotor down wash of one of these giant machines is capable of destroying a light plane within less than 200 yards.

Assemblywoman Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) paid a visit to Tehachapi Airport on June 29, where she was welcomed with a tour of the various rotorcraft by pilots and fire personnel after she attended a briefing hosted by Governor Swarzenegger at the White Fire command center in Rosamond.

Fuller was taken aboard one of two “sky cranes,” Sikorsky S61s owned and operated by Heavylift. The two ships flew eight hour days all week, rotating a crew of three pilots, accompanied by a mechanical crew of five.

The cranes can hold 2,600 gallons of fire retardant material, and according to fire personnel, can burn as much as 1,000 gallons of fuel an hour. The ships are under contract with the state, and will remain on call, 24-hours a day throughout the summer fire season.

Local firefighter Shane Reed, of Helitack Crew 408, stationed at Keene, gave Fuller the “double V for Victory” sign as she climbed aboard a Bell212, formerly utilized in President Nixon’s “Marine One” airfleet. Nicknamed, “The Prez” the red and white Bell212 is now owned and operated by Siller Brothers and carries a Bambi Basket that can dip and drop 660 gallons of water.

According to local fire personnel, the heavies based at Tehachapi Airport have been utilizing dip sites located at the Mountain Valley Airport as well as recent sites established in Sand Canyon and Bear Valley. These dip sites are part of an ongoing project coordinated by the Kern County Fire Department in partnership with the Golden Hills Community Services District, Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District, Bear Valley Community Services District and the Greater Tehachapi Fire Safe Council.

“The three dip sites are a critical source of water and have made it possible for the heavies to deliver several hundred thousand gallons of water and fire retardant on the fire. The next reliable water source would be Brite Lake which if used would add about 50 percent to 75 percent more flight time between loads,” explained KCFD Captain Tony Diffenbaugh.

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