Idaho — Cheers the incredibly skilled aviators and firefighters of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Boise Helitack Crew who are on standby to deploy their serve as highly skilled and productive aerial firefighting resources.
These crews are specially trained in the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire suppression. Helitack Crew serve as a primary initial attack resource on wildfire and often first on-scene to assess backcountry blazes.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Boise Helitack crew is unique in that they are the only Interior-firefighting unit that operates a Type 1 helicopter for helitack operations. They respond to wildfires in a UH-60 Blackhawk with a full complement of firefighting tools, 660-gallon water dropping bucket, and 12 firefighters on board (more than any other rotor-wing firefighting asset in America).
Boise Helitack’s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter is one of the most safe, effective, and efficient firefighting aircraft in all wildfire response. Like other wildland fire resources, they respond where and when they are needed most, supporting wildfire operations across the country:
Helitack Modules:
Helitack modules specialize in the use of helicopters for initial attack as well as large fire support. The aircraft provide rapid transport, allowing firefighters to quickly respond to and size up wildfires, especially in remote, inaccesible locations. Helitack modules may land near a wildfire or, if equipped and trained, rappel from the helicopter into a pre-identified area. Once on the ground, the firefighters construct fireline and/or helispots to shuttle additional resources into the fire. Helicopter crewmembers also perform other duties such as conducting firing operations, overseeing the aerial delivery of fire suppression equipment, and managing helibases.
Boise Helitack (BLM)
Boise Helitack (BLM) is a 24-person module that operates a UH-60 Blackhawk on a 120-day exclusive-use contract. The module specializes in rapid initial attack across the Western U.S. and has the ability to provide a wide variety of fireline and aviation qualifications. Boise Helitack is currently the only BLM helitack program that operates a Type 1 helicopter with crew. The module is stationed in Boise, ID at the airport but spends a significant portion of the fire season away from the home unit.
