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last mo.

Australian Chinook Begins Operational Water Drops as Landes Fire Is Held Back

The helicopter’s 11,300-litre capacity and night-flight ability boost suppression reach while easing demand on France’s daytime-only water bombers.

Un hélicoptère bombardier d'eau prêté par l'Australie a été utilisé pour la première fois vendredi dans les Landes. [Philippe LOPEZ / POOL / AFP]
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Overview

  • The wildfire in the Landes has burned roughly 1,100–1,300 hectares and forced nighttime evacuations in the village of Luglon, with crews reporting the fire was slowed near homes Friday.
  • An Australian CH-47D Chinook carried out its first operational water drops on the blaze Friday, making multiple large rotations that were observed by AFP reporters on site.
  • The Chinook can carry 11,300 litres per drop, refill its tank in about 90 seconds by snorkel from a water source, and can operate at night to extend fighting hours beyond those available to Dash and Canadair aircraft.
  • The Australian deployment is based at Mont-de-Marsan and includes a Bell 412 with an 1,800-litre tank and about thirty Australian crew, and it has been integrated with France’s Canadair, Dash and Air Tractor fleet.
  • No homes have been reported lost so far, officials say, and the Chinook will remain available through the end of September as firefighters work to consolidate gains and prepare for critical hours ahead.