Supervisors given update on additional Heli-Hydrant feasibility

Joe Naiman

Village News Correspondent

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors received a report on the feasibility of placing additional Heli-Hydrant water tanks in San Diego County.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote Jan. 25 approved the report on the feasibility of additional Heli-Hydrants. Several locations were identified, and additional planning and outreach were also addressed.

“I certainly appreciate this work and look forward to continued movement on this topic,” said Board of Supervisors chair Nathan Fletcher.

“I’m very excited to move forward and launch additional Heli-Hydrants throughout San Diego County, particularly in the unincorporated area. Anything we can do to aid in more frequent water drops on wildfires in the backcountry will actually net more successful outcomes. The goal is always to reduce the forward rate of spread of fires to our more populated areas and to protect homes and businesses of all residents in San Diego County,” said Supervisor Jim Desmond.

The first Heli-Hydrant in San Diego County was installed last year at the Rainbow Municipal Water District’s Pala Mesa site. Whaling Fire Line Equipment, which is based in Santa Clarita, has created and patented the Heli-Hydrant system which allows a pilot or other aircraft crew member to activate a snorkel site remotely. The pilot signals the Heli-Hydrant upon the aircraft's approach, and a tank 12 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep can be filled in 120 seconds. The actual fill time depends on the gallons per minute and pounds per square inch delivery of the water source. A float valve which is part of the Heli-Hydrant is secured to keep the tank topped off. Each Heli-Hydrant has drain valves controlled by a radio signal from the aircraft. Redundant power sources such as rechargeable solar batteries, a solar-powered recharging system, and a manual switch ensure that loss of electrical power to the Heli-Hydrant has a minimal effect on its operational ability.

“Fire prevention and response have got to be part of our collective agenda,” Fletcher said. “We remain at risk, and I think Heli-Hydrants can provide another tool for our firefighters during wildfires.”

The county’s goal is to deliver a water drop every five minutes in the event of a wildfire. A water-dropping helicopter travels approximately 3 miles per minute while in the air, and refilling tanks while hovering over a water source takes approximately one minute. The San Diego County Fire Protection District identified known water sources and utilized a radius of 5 miles, which would meet the five-minute goal. The county fire department is now working to identify the areas of greatest need beyond the five-mile radius to determine the feasibility of additional Heli-Hydrants in the county. Several locations have been identified, and the feasibility of placing a Heli-Hydrant at each of those locations is being considered.

Because of the drought natural water sources normally found on Palomar Mountain are currently not available for aerial firefighting, so a Heli-Hydrant on Palomar Mountain would provide a dependable water source for the surrounding area. The drought would also prevent natural Mount Laguna water sources from being used, so a Heli-Hydrant is being considered for Mount Laguna.

Lake Cuyamaca is in close proximity to Julian, which has had a significant wildfire history this century. A Heli-Hydrant on Volcan Mountain would provide better service to the northern part of the Julian area.

The Upper Otay and Lower Otay reservoirs are sufficient water sources, but the topography of Otay Mountain increases the flight time to fight wildfires in the border area and a Heli-Hydrant on the southwest flank of Otay Mountain would improve helicopter turnaround times.

The far eastern desert region of San Diego County has a very limited water supply. Heli-Hydrants in San Felipe, Jacumba Hot Springs, and Borrego Sprints would provide a dependent water source for the desert region.

Additional planning and outreach will be necessary to evaluate viable sites, partnerships, water sources, and grant funding opportunities. Some water districts or community water systems could serve as partners although much of the backcountry is dependent on groundwater. If a private property or a property on public land not owned by the county is used an agreement would need to be reached for the placement of a permanent Heli-Hydrant.

The estimated cost of each Heli-Hydrant is more than $150,000. The cost will vary by location due to factors such as equipment, installation, maintenance, and connections to a water source.

The county fire department will continue to evaluate potential locations for Heli-Hydrants and will coordinate with potential partners to establish agreements for cost sharing, water supply, and land use. The San Diego County Fire Protection District will also research available grant programs and pursue funding for the installation and operation costs. A final strategy for Heli-Hydrant implementation will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for approval after the prerequisites have been completed.

“I look forward to the establishment of these Heli-Hydrants in the future,” Desmond said.