A water-bombing Sikorsky S-61 helicopter owned by the Island-based Coulson Group has been brought in from California to work for at least five days battling fires in B.C.’s Interior.
The helicopter, with two pilots, spent Sunday scooping up and shuttling 3,785 litres to fires near Kamloops, the first day of its new commitment, said Wayne Coulson, chief executive of the Coulson Group of Companies.
A 200-foot line carries a bucket, which is dipped into rivers and lakes.
Two pilots, two maintenance engineers and one fuel truck driver came to Kamloops with the helicopter.
The company watches for opportunities to work in this province. “We appreciate the opportunity to work in B.C. again,” Coulson said.
The Port Alberni-based Coulson company made its mark in fire fighting in B.C. with its massive Martin Mars water tankers. Today, the diversified company takes its fleets to the U.S., Australia and Chile, using everything from jets, large air tankers, to a range of helicopters, and moving as seasons warrant.
It runs the fire-fighting fleet of aircraft for the state of New South Wales on the east coast of Australia and has an ongoing contract in Chile.
Coulson typically has a dozen aircraft based in the Los Angeles basin.
About 400 employees work for Coulson Aviation in total.
In Port Alberni, where there are about 120 employees, aircraft are converted for fire-fighting duties. “All the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation is done in Port Alberni,” Coulson said.
Other Island resources are also helping with the fires burning in B.C.’s Interior. Mill Bay Fire Rescue was asked to help with structural protection in the 100 Mile House area.
“In just over 12 hours four members of the department dropped what they were doing, said goodbye to their families and are currently on the road in Engine 75,” the department said in a notice.
“They are in for gruelling hard work and long days doing what they can to protect residences, industry, and communities from fire.”
Saanich and Sidney fire crews are also helping out. Nanaimo’s emergency support services volunteer team is assisting displaced interior residents register with the province and replace their identification.
