Helicopter stationed at local airport ready to fight fire

A UH60 Blackhawk helicopter demonstrated its fire-fighting abilities last week by sucking water out of Banks Lake through a "snorkel" into its 1,100 gallon tank, then dumping the water onto the runway at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport. 

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources contracts with the California-based company High Performance Helicopters to station aircraft throughout the state, including at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport, in case of wildfire.

Administrative and Accounting Assistant Christine Michel of HP told The Star that the demonstration, viewed by DNR staff and airport staff among other onlookers June 8, was done to show how the aircraft operates as well as to check that all the equipment is working properly.

She said the company also has other craft available if needed for a fire.

Port District 7 Commissioner Jim Keene said the relationship between the DNR and the airport is mutually beneficial, with the area receiving quick response times to fires and the DNR being able to respond quicker elsewhere in the region from here. Their next closest bases are at Omak and Yakima, according to DNR Aircraft Duty Officer Dave Ritchy.