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Helicopter crews work 8-hour shifts, dropping thousands of gallons per flight to slow the fire's advance
REDLANDS, Calif. — At the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, Redlands Municipal Airport has become a pivotal staging ground in the aerial battle against the Line fire, which has scorched more than 20,500 acres as of Sunday night.
Helicopter crews from across the country are based at Redlands Airport, launching regular missions to support firefighting efforts on the ground. Despite firefighters facing difficult terrain and limited fire breaks, the aerial assistance has proven essential in slowing the blaze, which began in Highland on Thursday, Sept. 5, and was 0% contained Sunday night.
Among the first responders were helicopter pilots David Smith and Tim Lintz, who arrived from Lancaster on Thursday evening. The pair, part of an initial attack team from Siller Helicopters Inc. contracted by the National Forest Service, helped slow the fire's early spread.
“I’d say that first day, we held the fire at about 700 acres,” said Smith, a veteran pilot with Siller since 1991. “But once night fell, the fire took off.”
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