A helicopter drops water on a fire.

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Facing the Flames

During wildfire season, helicopter and plane crews risk their lives to fight fires and keep people on the ground safe.

November 2, 2020
By Cyndy Unwin

As You Read, Think About: What are some ways aircraft can save lives during wildfires?

It’s August 21, and Chris Haas is dangling from a rope below a helicopter. Nearby, in the pitch black, two firefighters are waiting to be rescued. They had been trying to help tame a raging wildfire in Point Reyes National Seashore in California. But now they are trapped in the fire’s path.

Fortunately, Haas spots the firefighters’ headlamps blinking up at him. Pilot Paul Bradley fights the gusty winds as he carefully lowers Haas to the ground.

There is little time to spare. The fire is less than a football field’s length away. Haas quickly helps the firefighters into harnesses and clips them onto his long line. Bradley lifts all three of them to safety.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies,” Haas recalls. “I just kept telling myself to relax and do my job.”

This is just one of many heroic efforts to keep people safe during this year’s deadly wildfire season. As Scholastic News went to press, dozens of large fires were blazing in Western states. At least 40 people had died. Entire communities had been reduced to ash and rubble.

Thousands of firefighters and rescue workers are banding together to fight these fires and protect life and property. Much of the help comes from the air.

It’s August 21. Chris Haas is dangling from a rope below a helicopter. It is pitch black. Nearby, two firefighters are waiting to be rescued. They had been trying to help tame a raging wildfire in California. But now they are trapped in the fire’s path. 

Haas spots the firefighters’ headlamps blinking up at him. Pilot Paul Bradley fights the gusty winds. He carefully lowers Haas to the ground.

There is little time to spare. The fire is less than a football field’s length away. Haas quickly helps the firefighters into harnesses. He clips them onto his long line. Bradley lifts all three of them to safety.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies,” Haas recalls. “I just kept telling myself to relax and do my job.”

This was just one of many heroic rescues during this year’s deadly wildfire season. As Scholastic News went to press, dozens of large fires were blazing in Western states. At least 40 people had died. Entire communities had been destroyed.

Thousands of firefighters and rescue workers are banding together to fight these fires and protect people. Much of the help comes from the air.

Courtesy of Sonoma County Sheriff ’s Office

Paul Bradley (left) and Chris Haas are part of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter rescue team.

Above the Flames

Wildfires often start deep in wilderness areas. But strong winds can cause them to spread quickly and threaten nearby homes. It can take weeks to get the biggest fires under control.

When a wildfire breaks out, aerial teams are often the first on the scene. Supervisors in spotter planes gather information about the blaze. They coordinate with firefighters on the ground about the best way to contain it. Spotters also guide tanker planes to drop chemicals to slow the fire’s spread.

Wildfires often start deep in wilderness areas. But strong winds can cause them to spread quickly. The fires threaten nearby homes. It can take weeks to get the biggest fires under control.

When a wildfire breaks out, aerial teams are often the first on the scene. People in spotter planes gather information about the blaze. They talk with firefighters on the ground about the best way to contain it. Spotters also guide tanker planes to drop chemicals to slow the fire’s spread.

Rescued!

Meanwhile, helicopters carry firefighters to the edges of the blaze to attack it from the ground. Firefighting helicopters also make precise water drops along escape routes for people fleeing the flames.

When fast-spreading fires make an escape impossible, helicopter teams are often called to the rescue. On September 5, more than 200 campers were trapped near a lake in California. A quick-moving fire blocked the only road out of the campground. Two military helicopters battled smoke and strong winds to get everyone out safely.

Experts predict that this year’s wildfire season is far from over. Haas knows he has to be ready for whatever comes his way.

“The more we prepare for any situation we might face, the greater the chance we’ll be successful,” Haas says.

Meanwhile, helicopters carry firefighters to the edges of the blaze. They attack it from the ground. Firefighting helicopters also make water drops along escape routes for people fleeing the flames.

Some fast-spreading fires make an escape impossible. So helicopter teams are often called to the rescue. On September 5, more than 200 campers were trapped near a lake in California. A quick-moving fire blocked the only road out of the campground. Two helicopters battled smoke and strong winds to get everyone out safely.

Experts predict that this year’s wildfire season is far from over. Haas knows he has to be ready.

“The more we prepare for any situation we might face, the greater the chance we’ll be successful,” Haas says.

What You Need to Know About Wildfires

Shmuel Thaler/AP Photo

In California, dry thunderstorms in August brought little rain but nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in just 72 hours. These ignited hundreds of fires, including the largest in state history.

In California, dry thunderstorms in August brought little rain but nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in just 72 hours. These ignited hundreds of fires, including the largest in state history.

BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images

Smoke from the fires has polluted the air. It has drifted thousands of miles across the country.

Smoke from the fires has polluted the air. It has drifted thousands of miles across the country.

David Paul Morris/ Bloomberg via Getty Images

This wildfire season is on pace to be the worst ever in several states. By early October, wildfires in California had scorched 26 times as much land as at the same point in 2019.

This wildfire season is on pace to be the worst ever in several states. By early October, wildfires in California had scorched 26 times as much land as at the same point in 2019.

What You Need to Know About Wildfires

Shmuel Thaler/AP Photo

In California, dry thunderstorms in August brought little rain but nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in just 72 hours. These ignited hundreds of fires, including the largest in state history.

In California, dry thunderstorms in August brought little rain but nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in just 72 hours. These ignited hundreds of fires, including the largest in state history.

BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images

Smoke from the fires has polluted the air. It has drifted thousands of miles across the country.

Smoke from the fires has polluted the air. It has drifted thousands of miles across the country.

David Paul Morris/ Bloomberg via Getty Images

This wildfire season is on pace to be the worst ever in several states. By early October, wildfires in California had scorched 26 times as much land as at the same point in 2019.

This wildfire season is on pace to be the worst ever in several states. By early October, wildfires in California had scorched 26 times as much land as at the same point in 2019.

1. What is the author’s purpose in the first three paragraphs?

2. What makes many wildfires hard to get under control, according to the article?

3. Compare the roles that crews of spotter planes and helicopters play in fighting wildfires.

1. What is the author’s purpose in the first three paragraphs?

2. What makes many wildfires hard to get under control, according to the article?

3. Compare the roles that crews of spotter planes and helicopters play in fighting wildfires.

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