Due to great drought and heat Sicily is suffering from a lot of forest fires. Thousands of firefighters and many firetrucks, planes and helicopters spending their days to push back the flames in the mountains.
Italian fire department, Vigili del Fuoco operates many air units with fixed wings and helicopters, which can drop tonns of water in a short time to fires in inaccessible areas.
Main goal of my journey was to catch this wonderfull green Erickson S-64F Skycrane, named "Orso Bruno".
The Erickson S-64 Skycrane is a heavy-lift helicopter renowned for its versatile aerial capabilities. Originally developed for military use, it's been repurposed for various civilian roles, especially firefighting and heavy-load transport. The main rotor is a large, five-bladed system that provides immense lifting capacity , up to 20,000 pounds, and a unique rear-facing cockpit contribute to its exceptional maneuverability and precision in challenging environments.
Equipped with a water tank or a firefighting apparatus, the Skycrane has become a crucial asset in battling wildfires worldwide, capable of dropping thousands of gallons of water on fires in a single pass. Its adaptability and strength have made it a symbol of reliability and efficiency in emergency response, earning it the nickname "Flying Firetruck."
2 окт 2024
