Billings Flying Service (BFS) has been granted an exclusive-use type 1 helicopter firefighting contract by Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. BFS is providing a tanked CH-47 Chinook with high-volume precision water drop capability for the summer fire season contract, which started on 1 July. The aircraft will be based in Montana. However, it could be mobilised to surrounding states under a cooperative agreement in place between the US Forest Service and the State of Montana.
“As fellow Montanans, our BFS team is particularly honoured to support the state’s wildfire preparedness objectives this summer,” said BFS Director of Business Development Katrina Miller. “The CH-47 Chinook’s fire suppression capability is second to none. By contracting this helicopter for exclusive use, the state has secured an asset to work solely for its use at a moment’s notice this season and will have the capability to dispatch initial attack missions as soon as a fire is identified.”
“Montana DNRC prides itself on safe and aggressive initial attack to keep wildfires small and firefighters and the public safe,” added Deputy State Forester and DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands Deputy Division Administrator Wyatt Frampton. “The addition of this helicopter is made possible through funding from the legislature and will complement our response capabilities to increase the level of service we provide.”
Photo: Billings Larry Mayer
