Earlier this month the four old 6,000 gallon vinyl/rubber pumpkins at the 69Bravo helicopter water source in the Southern California Santa Monica Mountains were replaced with new 8,000 gallon metal tanks.

On June 9 the web camera at the facility captured one of Ventura County Fire Department’s “new” FireHawk helicopters testing the reconfigured tank system.

Ventura County has two helicopters that are former military HH-60L Blackhawks originally configured by United Rotorcraft as dedicated MEDEVAC helicopters with medical equipment and patient litter systems, some of which was repurposed in the new FireHawk configuration. The helicopters recently received new navigation and communication systems, cabin interiors, and a 1,000 gallon external fixed water tank with a retractable snorkel system. The landing gear was replaced with higher gear to allow clearance for the installation of the belly tank.

Called 69Bravo Helistop, the facility on one of the highest peaks in the Topanga area has been an excellent source for virtually unlimited water for helicopters fighting wildfires in the area. It has four dip or snorkel tanks which enable helicopters with external buckets or fixed tanks to quickly refill with water. The buckets are lowered into the tanks, while helicopters with “snorkels” lower a hose with a pump into the water.

There are also two landing pads where helicopters that must land to refill can obtain water from fire hoses connected to the tanks by on-scene firefighters. Or, pilots can land and take a break if needed. The system keeps the tanks full automatically by using water from an on-site well.

The 69Bravo site was built by the very generous land owner and has been used with his permission. Several years ago Los Angeles County arranged to purchase the 34-acre property at a price reportedly less than half the market value, making payments over a seven-year period ending in 2024.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Simon.