Wisk Air Helicopters says it’s here to serve communities in Northern Ontario in times of emergency.
The Thunder Bay based company successfully participated in the suppression of Red Lake Fire 49 last week.
The only heavy lift helicopter in the region was able to continuously drop water loads of up to 650 gallons per drop on the fire and the 214 carries were almost double the volume of other helicopters.
It’s estimated the Wisk Air 214B dropped a total of 68,000 gallons of water each of the eight days, which is the equivalent of 300,000 litres a day.
The aircraft was hired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry specifically because of its large water drop capabilities and was deployed as soon as the fire started.
The helicopter can stay airborne for two hours at a time and was flown for eight-hour flight periods each day fighting the fire.
Wisk Air President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wiskemann says “We acquired the Bell 214 B-1 because of its ability to deliver massive volumes of water and work closely and safely with fire crews already on the ground. As the operator of one of only three 214’s across Canada, we are pleased to offer this capability to the Ontario Ministry Fire branch.”
Wiskemann adds “It is very rewarding to be able to step up as a company when our communities need us most. We’ve worked in the Northwest for decades and we were able to respond to this fire immediately from our Red Lake base with aircrew and support crew alike.”
The Bell 214 B-1 is known as the “Big Lifter” and is the world’s largest, most powerful single engine helicopter.
