- April 18, 2024
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Story courtesy of Flagler County Public Information Officer Julie Murphy.
FireFlight crews used the helicopter’s ability to travel anywhere within the county in 15 minutes with its 210-gallon water bucket to prevent a wildfire from getting out of control on July 16.
Pilot Todd Whaley, who is also a Florida certified Wild-Land Firefighter, was called off a support mission to assist firefighters on the ground with two small brush fires in western Flagler County. As he left the area, he could see a column of smoke to the southeast, and found 3 acres burning near Plantation Bay.
As he approached, Whaley was surprised by the embers and ash hitting the helicopter's wind screen. He immediately called the Florida Forest Service.
Often after lightning sparks a fire, Whaley will direct ground crews to the blaze. In this case, he started dropping water on it right away.
Flagler County Engine 16 responded to the area, but couldn't reach the fire.
Whaley dropped 44 buckets of water — 9,500 gallons — on the fire in about an hour.
Though Florida Forest Service was delayed in its response because of the westside fires, Whaley and FireFlight were able to contain the fire to 9 acres.
"We took the life out of it," Whaley said.
Engine 16 crew Capt. Richard Bennett credited Whaley and the helicopter with preventing the fire from spreading.
"It could have easily grown to 50 acres before ground crews could access it," he said.
