Fighting Wildfires in Canada with the Firehawk Helicopter

Over the past several years, many parts of Canada have seen increased wildfire activity, and there has been a growing need for larger, more capable aircraft that can help battle these blazes. Contour Helicopters of Langley, British Columbia, has recognized this need, and recently added a UH-60 Black Hawk to its fleet -- converted into a Firehawk helicopter -- to support wildfires in Canada.

The Firehawk (C-FHWK) is equipped with a Helitak 4,500-litre tank, capable of delivering three to four times more water per drop than the average bucket helicopter. Moreover, the night vision cockpit enables continued tanking operations into the night, when weather tends to be less active.

The Vertical team visited Contour to get a closer look at the company's new addition -- and see the aircraft in action.

Video by Nicholas Thielmann

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[Stubby]

Neat to see that tank systems have come a long way since 96-15728, which I had the pleasure to get qualified and crew from time to time.

[shiba]

When a private company can afford UH60's but the Canadian military can't.

[Tin_Man]

2:51 Firehawk, say Cheese 😁

Firehawk: Opens "mouth"

[TheSithTeacher]

I liked and comment to increase the views and help the channel

[alexgeanina]

The only FIREHAWK, whose name is Trade Marked by Lockheed Martin / Sikorsky is with the fixed belly tank with retractable snorkel.

[viperq]

I guess firefighting helicopters in Canada are not required to be bright colored?

Metro Vancouver should have been able to field a fleet of these like Los Angeles County but unlike Los Angeles County we have no leadership and continuous cost overruns 😢

[wayneyd]

Sadly, it don't paid to put out a wildfire on the first day. That is why they are always out of control.