That would be a major change in the region’s firefighting landscape. The ultimate goal is to train Sheriff’s Department pilots on the new Bell and eventually take on nighttime firefighting missions. And has a better capability to put personnel on target and fight the fires more quickly.” The new 412 is a newer platform, with a twin engine. They’ve done what we’ve asked them to do. They’ve handled a lot of fires over the years. Dave Buether, who oversees the department’s ASTREA or Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies unit.

“The current Bell 205s, they are just an aging fleet,” said sheriff’s Lt. The department also has three patrol helicopters. The purchase represents the county’s first step toward acquiring a new generation of firefighting helicopters to replace the Sheriff’s Department’s three single-engine helicopters, which were built in the 1960s and 1970s. “That includes taking every possible step to make sure that our first responders have the regional assets they need to fight fires on a 24-hour basis.” “We have seen historic fires throughout our state and the western United States in recent years and we must continue to do everything we can to adequately prepare for the very real risk of wildfire in San Diego,” Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher said in a written report supporting the helicopter purchase. It is expected to be delivered in about 18 months. Officials say the twin-engine chopper is safer, can carry more water and can ferry more personnel to fight fires than the existing helicopters used by the department. The contract also would include some pilot and mechanic training. The vote authorizes $16 million for the purchase of the aircraft, outfitting it with specialized gear like a hoist, radios, skids that allow the helicopter to land in rough terrain and a 375-gallon water tank. In late April, county supervisors voted unanimously to buy a Bell 412 EXP helicopter to be used by the county Sheriff’s Department.

San Diego County in recent decades has endured several devastating out-of-control wildfires, most notably firestorms in 2003 that charred more than 376,000 acres, killed 17 people and destroyed more than 2,600 homes and firestorms in 2007 that burned around 370,000 acres, killed 10 and destroyed nearly 1,700 homes. The expansion of the aerial arsenal comes as county leaders worry that climate change - with its hotter, drier weather patterns - could fuel more wildfires in the region. Millions of dollars are being invested to expand the region’s ability to fight fires from the air, with county government moving ahead with plans to buy a twin-engine helicopter as SDG&E adds two new choppers to its fleet.

Aerial firefighting