Starting in July, a team of two large SkyCrane helicopters, based out of the Jeffco Airtanker Base in Broomfield, will help create a powerful new firefighting team, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nicknamed “Operation Sky Hammer” and funded by the USDA’s Forest Service, the new concept brings two, Type-1 firefighting helicopters to the Rocky Mountain Region to be pre-positioned where fire danger is highest and ready to strike in any initial attack against wildfires.

“This innovative program is adding capacity to our wildland firefighting response in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain region,” Troy Heithecker, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, said. “Coupled with the modernized airtanker base in Colorado Springs and our other airtanker bases across our region, we will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently when wildfires start.”

The USDA said the Sky Hammer helicopters, working in tandem, can be ordered by local, state or federal agencies to respond to wildfires on any lands. They travel with a mobile retardant base that allows them to be prepositioned in locations that wouldn’t otherwise be able to support this specialized equipment.

“When wildfires start, they each deploy with bellies full of 2,800 gallons of red fire retardant,” the USDA said. “After that initial load is released, they have a specialized clean snorkel that can draw water from a nearby water resource, or they can return to base to reload retardant.”

“The Forest Service’s focus is on conducting safe and aggressive initial attacks against wildfire,” Clark Hammond, regional aviation officer for the Rocky Mountain Region, said. “Our goal is to work with local, state and federal cooperators to swiftly suppress small fires before they become large, complex incidents to ensure we can protect lives, property, economies and natural resources. A successful initial attack frees up our resources more quickly to be ready for the next wildfire start.”

The public can do its part in helping prevent wildfires by knowing when fire restrictions are in place, learning how to prevent starting wildfires while recreating on public lands and preparing homes and communities to be wildfire ready, officials said.

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