Bell helicopter from Cal Fire, from the Columbia Air Attack Base. Bell EH-1X, taking off from the Auburn Airport to help with the other 3 Cal Fire helicopters assigned to the Robber Fire Complex. S-2 Trackers have been hitting the fire that started around 3:30PM and had grown to over 200 acres by 6:30PM. These helicopters have 2 each 15 gallon retardant tanks installed, one on each side, that dispense a measured amount of Dawn Dishwashing Detergent into the load of water picked up by the Bambi Bucket slung about 30 feet under it. The retardant mixes with the water in the bucket when it is released to form a foam mixture on the way down to the fire below. According to the FAA Aircraft Database there are only 3 helicopters designated the EH-1X, they are a derivative of the Huey UH-1 helicopter. Shooting this video was a trip as you will see near the point of lift off. I was sitting down firmly braced with my back up against a blast fence to keep me from rolling across the ground when they lifted off. (Not my first up close helicopter take off!) Note the dibri flying around near the end, do not get close to these when taking off or landing.
11 июл 2012
