The Hawaii Mars will be under a new contract with the U.S. Forest Service this year, based at Lake Elsinore, California from June 1 through November 15, 2009. A Sikorski helicopter equipped with thermal imaging equipment will work with the Hawaii Mars filling the role of a “lead.” See this article by Bill Gabbert for more information. Bill also has a link to articles he wrote about the Martin Mars last summer when one of their tankers was based in northern California.
The Westcoaster, a newspaper based in Port Alberni, British Columbia has an article announcing the U.S. Forest Service Contract that may be found here.
For a 10 minute ride around the outside of the aircraft and a tour inside take a look at this video:
I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.
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