Urban blazes often force helicopters to fly far for water — one firefighter found a smarter way
CABAZON, Calif. (AP) — As flames crept up a Los Angeles County hillside, Mark Whaling and his team rushed back and forth in a water tanker truck, desperately trying to keep pace with the blaze. They tapped into a street hydrant for water, while a helicopter flew in for aerial support—but the aircraft had to travel a long distance to refill, allowing what could have been a manageable fire to spiral out of control and damage homes.
While on that early 2000s emergency call, Whaling, a now-retired firefighter, noticed a massive sealed tank nearby containing a million gallons of water—completely inaccessible in their time of crisis. He saw the irony.
“We don’t send fire trucks out without hydrants,” Whaling said. “They’re installed throughout cities every few hundred feet. Yet these helicopters, which are crucial, were left scrambling for water sources.”
Mark Whaling, who spent decades in firefighting, poses beside a Heli-Hydrant, a compact open-top reservoir designed to help helicopters access water quickly during city fires, on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Cabazon, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
Mark Whaling, who spent decades in firefighting, poses beside a Heli-Hydrant, a compact open-top reservoir designed to help helicopters access water quickly during city fires, on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Cabazon, Calif. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
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That frustration led to the creation of the Heli-Hydrant—an easily refillable container that allows helicopters to extract water more quickly during wildfires, especially in populated settings where lakes or ponds may be far away.
As wildfires threaten more communities, Whaling’s invention has garnered attention from agencies seeking solutions. First used during the 2020 Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, there are now ten installed Heli-Hydrants in Southern California, with another sixteen in development, Whaling said.
Helicopters are a key asset in fire response, capable of dropping over 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water in one trip—much more than a fire hose can deliver at once. They are especially useful in rough terrain that’s hard for personnel to reach.
However, pilots often lose precious time flying long distances to find water. With regional droughts, even natural sources can be unreliable. Riverside County pilots have logged up to 10 miles (16 kilometers) chasing water—time that could be spent fighting flames.
An innovative solution
Recently added to Cabazon, Calif., a Heli-Hydrant allows helicopters quicker access to firefighting water supplies, photographed Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
Recently added to Cabazon, Calif., a Heli-Hydrant allows helicopters quicker access to firefighting water supplies, photographed Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
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From a ladder in remote Cabazon, contractor Glenn Chavez peered into an empty Heli-Hydrant. With a radio switch, he watched water gush in—completing an 8,500-gallon (32,176 liters) fill in just under six minutes.
Chavez was running final tests on the Cabazon Water District’s second Heli-Hydrant, which cost about $300,000—comparable to the average home price there. Officials hope it will offer serious protection.
“This is the reality of living in scenic but dry communities,” said Michael Pollack, district general manager. “Having Heli-Hydrants enhances protection and gives residents greater peace of mind.”
During a demonstration in Jurupa Valley, Calif., on April 10, 2025, one such tank rapidly filled up in preparation to support helicopters battling future fires. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
During a demonstration in Jurupa Valley, Calif., on April 10, 2025, one such tank rapidly filled up in preparation to support helicopters battling future fires. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
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Pilots can trigger the tanks remotely from half a mile away. The tanks draw from the public water system and fill quickly, enabling helicopter refills in under a minute. Even in power outages, solar panels and backup batteries keep the system functioning—and night lights help guide aircraft toward them.
The San Diego region utilized the system during November’s Garden Fire in Fallbrook, where over 48 acres burned, and evacuations were ordered. Aircraft used the Heli-Hydrant nearly 40 times.
“It was a game-changer,” said pilot Ben Brown. “Refueling so close by saved fuel and critical time—especially in these dry zones.”
But they don’t always help
Glenn Chavez evaluates a new Heli-Hydrant on April 11, 2025, in Cabazon, Calif. The compact tank provides quicker access to water during firefights. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
Glenn Chavez evaluates a new Heli-Hydrant on April 11, 2025, in Cabazon, Calif. The compact tank provides quicker access to water during firefights. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
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Despite benefits, some question their effectiveness in dense urban settings filled with buildings and electrical lines. Limited aerial space can make tank access tricky for pilots.
In those scenarios, firefighters may choose a farther but safer water source, said Warren Voth, a deputy pilot with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Pilots always attempt to enter and exit with the wind, and that requires ample space.
Municipal water systems also have limits. During Los Angeles’ Palisades Fire, water storage tanks feeding city hydrants ran dry as usage surged and pipes burst under heat and stress.
In fierce winds, helicopter operations may be grounded altogether. Poor visibility due to smoke or traffic congestion in airspace can prevent efficient tank use, especially during large-scale blazes.
Other temporary water tanks can help, too, but they take manpower and setup time.
A Heli-Hydrant gives one community hope
Glenn Chavez adjusts the remote activation range on a Heli-Hydrant in Cabazon, Calif., enabling helicopter pilots to fill up quickly, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
Glenn Chavez adjusts the remote activation range on a Heli-Hydrant in Cabazon, Calif., enabling helicopter pilots to fill up quickly, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)
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Places where natural landscapes border homes have long been prone to fires. Today, these risks grow as more people move in and climate change increases heat and dryness.
Jake Wiley, general manager of the Rainbow Municipal Water District, witnessed both the 2007 and 2017 blazes that destroyed more than 400 properties in the San Diego area. The last fire forced him to evacuate his home.
That disaster pushed local agencies to install their own Heli-Hydrant. When the Garden Fire ignited, it proved critical to saving nearby residences.
“Every time we think we’ve seen the worst, something worse happens,” Wiley said. “Every resource makes a difference.”
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The Associated Press receives funding from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental topics. All content is independently produced by AP. For additional environmental reporting, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.
