Over the past few days, HELI COMPANY’s UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter has been deployed to support firefighting operations at two forest fires in Slovakia. Following its mission in the Súľov Rocks area, the helicopter continued directly to the High Tatras, where it assisted in suppressing a fire in the vicinity of Popradské pleso.
Súľov Rocks
The fire, which broke out on 14 August in the Súľov Rocks area, affected challenging rocky terrain with limited access for ground firefighting units. It was precisely in such conditions that aerial firefighting played a significant role.
The UH-60A was deployed directly in support of the firefighting units, assisting them in suppressing the fire and preventing its further spread. Aerial firefighting enabled effective intervention even in areas that were difficult for ground crews to reach.
From the Súľov Rocks Directly to the Tatras
After completing its mission in the Súľov Rocks, the helicopter proceeded directly to the High Tatras, where it joined firefighting efforts in the Popradské pleso area.
Once again, the operation took place in challenging mountainous terrain, further complicated by wind and limited access to the fire site. During the mission, the UH-60A carried out more than 21 water drops, once again providing effective support to the highly capable ground firefighting units working to contain the fire.
When Speed and Accessibility Matter
The deployment of the UH-60A to two different parts of Slovakia within a short period of time demonstrated one of the key advantages of aerial firefighting – the ability to respond quickly and effectively based on the evolving situation on the ground.
Challenging terrain, strong winds and the distance from ground access routes present significant challenges during forest fires. The combination of ground and aerial firefighting capabilities makes it possible to tackle fires more effectively and deliver water to areas that are extremely difficult for ground units to reach.
HELI COMPANY is proud that, once again, its UH-60A Black Hawk and professional crew were able to effectively support Slovak firefighters, making a significant contribution to the protection of Slovakia’s natural environment and territory.
