Water Dropping Aircraft Exercise in Malibu, with World's Largest Water Dropping Helicopter
The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority Air Operations Division conducted daytime and nightime helicopter water-dropping exercises in the #Malibu area to prepare for future major wildfires in the Santa Monica Mountains. The day drill for this "Expedited Resource Response Plan Pilot Program" was at Helispot 69 Bravo on Saddle Peak Road in Topanga followed by the night drill at Camp 8 Helispot on South Rambla Pacifico in Malibu.
The exercise used the largest tanked helicopter in the world, a CH-47 Chinook supertanker which can deliver 3,000 gallons with each drop, far more than most water dropping helicopters which usually have about 350-gallon capacity. The dual-engine, dual propeller helitanker based in Orange County to help battle blazes across Southern California is also night-vision certified so it can drop water or retardant day or night. The County's CL-415 Super Scooper water dropping airplane was also demonstrated.
For wildfire preparedness information, see the City's Emergency Survival Guide.