A firefighting helicopter has been drafted in to help tackle the devastating Headon Warren wildfire, with thousands of gallons of seawater now being dropped onto the smouldering landscape as efforts to extinguish the blaze enter a new phase.
The MD Hughes 500 helicopter arrived at the West Wight incident ground earlier this morning (Friday) after flying in from the West Country.
Fitted with an underslung Bambi Bucket, the aircraft is repeatedly collecting water from the sea before carrying out precision drops over the 60 acres of charred and still-smouldering heathland, in a bid to dampen down hotspots and prevent any further flare-ups.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service says it has detailed plans in place as it deploys various firefighting tactics, with crews having relocated to a safe distance in the interests of safety during the water-drop.
The aerial operation, not thought to have been seen on the Isle of Wight before, comes as firefighters continue to tackle the aftermath of the major blaze, which has already destroyed around acres of nationally important habitat.
The wildfire has required a significant multi-agency response since it broke out on Thursday morning.
The incident has now become a cross-border operation, with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service at the scene. Island Echo is told that support from West Sussex is also being explored.
Among the additional resources deployed is Christchurch’s High Volume Pump Support Vehicle, which is assisting with operations at Totland Seafront to extract water from the sea, pumping it uphill to the fire ground.
Firefighters are expected to remain at Headon Warren for some time yet as they continue working to fully extinguish the fire and prevent it from reigniting. It is said that operations may last for 3 days.
