FRANCE DEPLOYS AUSTRALIAN HELICOPTERS-To Curb Wildfires
France announced on Thursday (August 13) that it will use two firefighting helicopters provided by Australia to combat blazes that could arise during the country’s wildfire season.
Australia has given France access to a Chinook CH-47D and to its accompanying Bell 412 helicopter, along with around 30 crew members of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) who can operate the aircraft, according to an Australian Foreign Ministry press release and a statement from the Landes prefecture.
French authorities will be able to use the aircraft until the end of September. Made by Boeing, the Chinook firefighting chopper can load 11,300 litres (2,985.14 gallons) of water in its reservoir, twice the capacity of Canadair firefighting planes more commonly used in France.
The Bell 412, on the other hand, is used for reconnaissance and support for the Chinook but can also stock up to 1,800 litres (475.51 gallons) of water. The aircraft would reportedly be useful for fire crews as France is going through an unprecedented wildfire season. As of late July, flames have ravaged nearly 120,000 hectares of land across the country, according to the interior ministry.
