Latest Aerial Firefighting news

Colorado approves fire monitoring scheme

The program would see camera stations set up to monitor the risk of wildfires, and evaluate the technology’s potential

AG600M begins type certificate testing

China’s AG600M large amphibious firefighting aircraft has entered the airworthiness flight-test stage

Columbia Helicopters sells Vertol 107-II to Heliswiss International AG

It will be used to fight fires and perform external load operations

Bridger merges with Jack Creek

Aerial firefighting services provider Bridger Aerospace completes deal with Jack Creek Investment, a ‘special purpose acquisition company’

Kaman discontinues K-MAX

The US aerospace manufacturer has announced that it will discontinue production of the K-MAX synchromesh rotor utility helicopter

Coulson Aviation awarded Australian Large Air Tanker contract

The aircraft will be a key asset during bushfire season

Texas wildfires burned 645,000 acres in 2022

Texas firefighting agencies responded to over 11,000 wildfires across the state in 2022 – one of the worst years on record

LCI acquire Chaparral VTOL from Elroy Air

LCI acquire 40 Chaparral VTOL aircraft from Elroy Air

They will provide aerial transport for commercial logistics, disaster relief, firefighting and humanitarian operations

more firefighting headlines

Aerial Firefighting Insights

Fighting fires in Greece with the S64E

AirMed&Rescue spoke to Gary Harman, Greece Country Manager for Erickson Inc., about why the S64 has made, and will continue to make, such a difference to the country’s aerial firefighting…

Expecting the best from the industry

Erickson discusses the importance of maintaining high quality standards across the spectrum of aircraft production

Innovations in aerial firefighting

Exciting upgrades and innovations in aerial firefighting are enabling fleets to combat the growing severity of wildfires across the globe. Those on the frontline share with Lauren Haigh the latest…

Provider Profile: Dauntless Air

Oliver Cuenca talks to Jesse Weaver, Dauntless Air Director of Operations and Chief Pilot, about fighting fires and maintaining high standards of safety

Lessons Learned: Aerial Firefighting and High-Rise Rescue since the 9/11 Attacks

Jennifer Ferrero explores how the urban aerial firefighting and search and rescue landscapes were irreversibly changed by the terror attack in New York in 2001

Black Summer - European Wildfires

With Europe experiencing vast destruction of land, and disruption to life, AirMed&Rescue considers if Europe was ready, and with climate change increasing, what can we learn?

Interview: Sam Foster, Erickson

AirMed&Rescue spoke with Sam Foster, Manufacturing Manager at Erickson about legacy, innovation, and confidence developed through a focus around sustainability

Let's talk new technology and aircraft adaptations in aerial firefighting

AirMed&Rescue has teamed up with Erickson, world-renowned experts in the aerial firefighting sector, to host a discussion on the latest technology changing how we fight fires from the air.

Watch now: Aerial Firefighting Roundtable on innovation in the global fight against wildfire

AirMed&Rescue plays host to Jeff Baxter from Erickson Inc., Brett L'Esperance of Dauntless Air, and Brian Collins of Intterra, for an in-depth discussion on innovation and excellence in aerial firefighting

Meet the aerial firefighting roundtable experts: Brett L'Esperance, Dauntless Air

Khai Trung Le spoke to Brett L’Esperance ahead of the AirMed&Rescue firefighting roundtable on his unique expertise on water and fire retardant drops

Innovations in aerial firefighting

Exciting upgrades and innovations in aerial firefighting are enabling fleets to combat the growing severity of wildfires across the globe. Those on the frontline share with Lauren Haigh the latest…

Rising to the challenge of more frequent wildfires

Amy Gallagher reports on how aerial firefighters are rising to the challenge of increased wildland fires in the US by the introduction of innovative solutions and transforming military-grade aircraft into…

High-Altitude Intelligence

Barry D Smith takes a look at how remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper drones have proved themselves an indispensable asset to firefighters battling Californian wildfires since their introduction ten years ago

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Why the Korea Forest Service purchased the S-64 for aerial firefighting

Erickson highlight the key features which make the S-64 aircrane an essential aerial firefighting asset around the world

Interview: Captain Juan Cumplido, firefighting pilot for Babcock Aviation in Spain

Mandy Langfield spoke to Captain Juan Cumplido, firefighting pilot for Babcock Aviation in Spain, about risk management, the key differences between firefighting tactics in Europe compared to other regions, as…

Taking wildfires personally

Brittany (Wise) Black, Senior Vice President of Sales, Business Development and Marketing for Erickson Incorporated, shares stories from individuals who have been directly impacted by wildfires

Aerial firefighting in the Asia-Pacific region

Investment and innovation in aerial firefighting aircraft continues around the world, and in the Asia Pacific region, opportunities abound as governments consider whether or not to operate their own fleets…

Aerial firefighting in North America

AirMed&Rescue investigates the aerial firefighting response in the various regions of North America. Who are the top players and how do they ensure that operations are successfully carried out?

Aerial Firefighting in South America

Mandy Langfield takes a look at aerial firefighting in the region of South America, considering how operators have adapted to key environmental and cultural factors

Aerial firefighting in Europe

Brittany Wise, Vice-President and General Manager of Civil Aviation Services at Erickson Incorporated, discusses the eradication and control of wildfires

Pre-suppression efforts + aerial firefighting technology = winning combination

Brittany Wise, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Erickson Incorporated, discusses how aerial firefighting can be made more effective through a combination of new technologies and government intervention of…

Leading the S-64 aircraft into the future: introducing the S-64F+

Erickson on how they are building upon their experience as Air Crane® OEM to innovate and integrate the latest technology to tackle night firefighting missions with the launch of the Future of…

Counting the cost of wildfires in California

Erickson considers the causes, and projected futures, of wildfires in the state of California, and the role that aerial firefighting resources can play in minimizing damage and mitigating risk

Aerial firefighting technology and tactics

Aerial firefighting can take many forms – from surveillance drones, to huge water bomber jets and light utility helicopters equipped with buckets. Mario Pierobon takes an in-depth look at what…

Aerosystems: manufacturing and MRO services for aerial firefighting

Aging fleets need ongoing support battling a global fire season that’s increasing in both duration and intensity as a result of global warming. Erickson shares how the S-64 Air Crane®…

Aerial firefighting: How effective are water enhancers?

The US-based Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting (CoE) and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Aviation Unit (DFPC) conducted a study during the 2017-2019 wildland…

Firefighting drone technology

Amy Gallagher explains how firefighting drone technology designed to protect people and property is developing; but without financial backing from the government, implementation continues to be a challenge

What does it take to be an aerial firefighting pilot?

Eder Navacerrada writes about the importance of patterns, decisions and sustained professional growth when it comes to developing a career as a firefighting aviator, focusing on fixed-wing single crew

Colorado firefighting: research and innovation in aerial firefighting equipment

Amy Gallagher spoke to a raft of experts involved in aerial firefighting research and active service, finding out more about the latest assets and resources that Colorado is pioneering and…

Royal Commission review into Australia’s Black Summer

Mandy Langfield looks at the findings of the Royal Commission report into the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season – the Black Summer – during which an estimated 18 million hectares of…