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France combats Fontainebleau fires with Securite Civile helicopters and Czech Black Hawks
France's Securite Civile dispatches helicopters and CL-415 waterbombers to fight Fontainebleau forest fire, while Czech Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks support efforts via EU civil protection pact.
The gist
Securite Civile deploys helicopters and CL-415s, aided by Czech Black Hawks, to battle major Fontainebleau forest fires near Paris.
France is actively battling multiple forest fires with a concentrated effort on the Fontainebleau blaze south of Paris, deploying a combination of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft from its Securite Civile agency. Notably, the agency reduced its aerial presence at the 14 July Bastille Day flypast, emphasizing firefighting priorities by sending just one helicopter to the traditional aerial display over the Champs-Elysees while dedicating another helicopter to support operations over the fire zone. This single-helicopter flypast underscores the urgency of the wildfire response, diverting resources to confront the ongoing threat.
Securite Civile utilizes a fleet comprising Airbus Helicopters H145 models, including both earlier and newer five-bladed versions, alongside a dozen De Havilland Canada CL-415 waterbombers stationed at Nimes airport in southern France. The CL-415 fixed-wing aircraft have been actively deployed to the Fontainebleau fire, employing their patented water scooping technique with an operational milestone achieved by refilling directly from the Seine River near Chartrettes. This innovative usage of a major water source close to the fire site highlights tactical adaptation in firefighting practices.
The modernization of France’s aerial firefighting capability includes acquiring new Canadair 515 waterbombers, with France recently increasing its order by two additional units in early June. This step marks an enhancement over the legacy CL-415 fleet, aligning with broader European trends to update firefighting assets to more efficient and capable aircraft to improve response times and operational effectiveness during wildfire seasons.
Support from international partners has augmented France’s firefighting efforts through the European Union’s rescEU civil protection mechanism. The dispatch of two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic marks a significant collaboration, providing additional capacity for firefighting operations. These Black Hawks operate from Valence airport in southern France and are outfitted with 3,540-litre Bambi Buckets for water drops, with flight operations handled by Slovakia's Heli Company within the Helicopter Alliance group.
The two Czech-operated Black Hawks, former US Army helicopters converted by Ace Aeronautics and leased through SkyConnect Leasing, reflect effective reutilization of military surplus for civil protection roles. Their deployment enhances water-dropping capabilities and maneuverability in rugged fire zones. This partnership between nations underlines the cross-border cooperation critical to addressing increasingly frequent and intense wildfire emergencies confronting Europe.
Further bolstering Czech firefighting capabilities, an order placed in November for three Sikorsky S-70 Firehawks demonstrates a commitment to advanced, dedicated wildfire helicopters. These Firehawks, being assembled by PZL Mielec—the Sikorsky subsidiary in Poland—feature modern firefighting systems including a 3,785-litre water tank, retractable snorkel for rapid water intake, twin engines, and night-vision abilities, positioning them as some of the most capable aircraft for wildfire management in Europe.
The Czech Republic’s initiative to operationalize Europe’s first Firehawk firefighting fleet, as noted by Monika Kowalczykova of Ceska letecka servisni, emphasizes a pioneering move toward multipurpose rotorcraft tailored for severe wildfire challenges in the region. This milestone sets a precedent for European operators aiming to refine their emergency response capabilities with state-of-the-art firefighting aircraft.
The collective aerial assets deployed by France, supported by Czech helicopters and the planned arrival of Firehawks, represent a robust layered defense against forest fires. This assemblage of helicopters and fixed-wing waterbombers is integral to mitigating the impact of wildfires on communities and natural areas, especially near populous regions like that south of Paris.
The ongoing operations over the Fontainebleau forest are a tangible example of the evolving tactical use of aerial firefighting, leveraging diverse equipment and international collaboration. The coming delivery of new Firehawks and expanded Canadair fleets further signals enhanced resilience across Europe in confronting wildfire emergencies through advanced aviation resources.
Frequently asked questions
- What aircraft does France's Securite Civile use to fight forest fires?
- Securite Civile operates Airbus Helicopters H145s and De Havilland Canada CL-415 waterbombers to combat forest fires like the Fontainebleau blaze.
- How are Czech Republic helicopters involved in fighting fires in France?
- Two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks from the Czech Republic were deployed under the EU's rescEU program to support firefighting efforts near Fontainebleau.
- What new firefighting aircraft are being introduced in Europe for wildfire response?
- Europe is introducing Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk helicopters, with the Czech Republic ordering three units being assembled at PZL Mielec, featuring advanced firefighting tech.
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