“Fire and Rescue Services lead the response to wildfire firefighting operations, including fire suppression, firefighter safety, incident command and decisions about tactics and deployment,” said Gwenllian.
“There are varying views within the emergency services and associated agencies about the role of helicopter firefighting support, but it was requested by the Fire and Rescue Service at the Rhinogydd site.”
“I intend to review the current capabilities available to fight wildfire, including aerial support, to identify what additional capabilities may be required, and what potential costs might emerge (recognising the context that these are UK-wide issues and will require discussions across the UK),” said Gwenllian.
Fire chiefs are pressing for permanent infrastructure upgrades.
Although the UK Government announced a £97 million asset modernization package to deploy specialized firefighters near vulnerable peatlands, leadership organizations warn that escalating climate risks necessitate dedicated aerial support.
“The science tells us we should expect larger, more frequent and more complex wildfires in the future,” said Phil Garrigan, Chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council.
“That’s why we need continued investment in specialist wildfire capabilities, including aerial firefighting support, so we’re prepared for the risks ahead.”
Parallel developments in aerial firefighting technology are taking place globally.
Aviation developer Coulson Aviation introduced a next-generation long-term fire retardant named CFR HALO, engineered specifically for modern airtankers and delivery systems.
The specialized retardant features mission-optimized viscosity to reduce drift during air drops.
It is currently undergoing formal evaluation programs with CEREN in France and the USDA Forest Service in the United States.
