Fire Supression Services

Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc. has a long history of supporting State and Federal fire suppression efforts. Our helicopters, crews, and support equipment are USFS/ OAS approved and certified.

To avoid long line operations over congested areas, Columbia Basin purchased the ISOLAIR Eliminator II medium helicopter belly tank with snorkel. The system capacity is 323 US gallons (1,223 Liters) with a hover fill time of 55 to 75 seconds. The system is able to draft from a six (6) inch water source. With a tank height of 14 inches, we are able to land in unimproved areas due to our high skids. The pilot is able to activate one (1) or all three (3) doors simultaneously. The doors will shut once the switch is released allowing multiple drops with the same load. The helicopter's cargo hook can be used with the Eliminator II tank installed on the helicopter. If the water source does not allow the helicopter to get close enough for use of the snorkel, the pilot is able to use a long line and bambi bucket without disconnecting the tank.

Columbia Basin also utilizes the SEI Industries Torrentuala Valve Bambi Bucket. The Torrentuala allows the pilot to fill the bucket from the bottom (able to use shallow water sources) and make multiple drops with each load. The valve can be fully opened for a full water drop or partially opened to extend the length of a water drop.