Sunday, October 11, 2015

[californiadisasters] Big red tank near Atascadero will store water for firefighting helicopters



Big red tank near Atascadero will store water for firefighting helicopters


By David Sneed | The Tribune

October 9, 2015

Cal Fire San Luis Obispo County has installed a 5,500-gallon helicopter dip tank west of Atascadero in the Summit Hills area. COURTESY OF CAL FIRE SLO

Cal Fire San Luis Obispo County has installed a 5,500-gallon helicopter dip tank west of Atascadero in the Summit Hills area.

The bright red tank will be available to firefighting helicopters to refill their buckets, said Cal Fire Chief Rob Lewin. It is strategically located in an area with a history of fire activity but without many water sources suitable for firefighting helicopters.

"We can continually keep it filled, and it gives us a shorter turnaround time," Lewin said. "We are really happy to have this tank because it is a significant tool for us to have for helicopter use."

During fires, the tank will be refilled by a fire engine using a nearby hydrant. The tank was purchased using a $9,700 grant from the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council.

The tank is located just outside Atascadero city limits on private property. The landowners have graciously agreed to host the tank without charging rent or other costs, Lewin said.

Source: www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/10/09/3847576_helicopter-dip-tank-atascadero.html

--


__._,_.___

Posted by: Kim Noyes <kimnoyes@gmail.com>


Be sure to check out our Links Section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/links
Please join our Discussion Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters_discussion/ for topical but extended discussions started here or for less topical but nonetheless relevant messages.





__,_._,___

No comments:

Post a Comment