Napa County has joined the list of counties in California that own or contract for helicopters to assist firefighters on the ground by dropping water or transporting cargo.
The Napa Valley Register reported that the county awarded a contract to Blue Sky Helicopters for a Blackhawk. The Southern California based company operates HH-60L helicopters and has had contracts with the US Forest Service, Department of the Interior, Oregon Department of Forestry, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and CAL FIRE.
Napa County received several bids but selected Blue Sky and their $1.65 million offer.
CAL FIRE has been operating a CH-47D Chinook helicopter out of Napa County Airport, but it is subject to being assigned to fires in other parts of the state, as it was Tuesday. Napa wants the helicopter under the control of county Fire Chief Geoff Belyea to be sure it will primarily be available to protect property within the county.
In May the Napa Valley Register reported that a private organization’s offer to pay $1.5 million to help lease two single engine air tankers for the county was refused by CAL FIRE.
Other counties in California that have firefighting helicopters include Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Kern, and Santa Barbara.
Napa County has had more than their fair share of very destructive fires over the last several years.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom.