Who we are:
Blackcomb Helicopters (BH) has been a full-time Whistler business for nearly 30 years. During that time, we have developed a close working relationship with R.M.O.W, Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Fire Department, Whistler SAR, and BC Forestry Service (BCFS) to provide a multitude of emergency services work. One of those services is our local firefighting ability and response. Our firefighting services are now used across Canada where needed.
Our company is built on the concept of the “Multi-Mission Helicopter”. This means that our aircraft can be rapidly re-configured from one mission to another. This multi-mission flexibility has allowed BH to rapidly respond to over 1000 rescues and medevacs in Whistler alone, along with wildfire responses in the Whistler area.
During High or Extreme fire danger ratings, Fire Centers will hire BH or another local operator on short term contracts to fulfill the need for rapid response. We understand the threat that a passing lightning storm can present to our community, therefore it is essential to have aircraft ready for dispatch and equipped for firefighting should the need arise. One of our greatest success stories was the fire on Million Dollar ridge on Whistler Mountain in 2016. We dispatched within 5 minutes after receiving the call from Whistler Blackcomb for firefighting support. We successfully doused the fire with multiple AS350 aircraft.
The firefighting capabilities we have provided to Whistler are something the whole community can be proud of. It was (and is) accomplished with local employees dedicated to helping their own community when emergencies happen.
Blackcomb Helicopters also assists firefighting across Canada.
recently Asked Questions
+ Q: How fast can you respond to a fire?
A: On average, our lift off times during High and Extreme conditions are within 5-10 minutes. First drop times depend on location of the fire relative to the water source. Water buckets can pick from extremely small water sources and typically takes only 10 seconds to fill a bucket.
+ Q: How long does it take to configure an aircraft to be ready for a wildfire response?
A: All of our equipment is specially designed to be swapped or applied without the use of any tools. The actual configuration time takes as long as it did for you to read a few of these questions.
+ Q: What if your aircraft is on another job and something happens?
A: If the event is an emergency, we would address the emergency first with our closest helicopter. We have done this countless times with our tours and existing clients.
+ Q: How much water can you carry?
A: Please see refer to our Wildfire Helicopters below. Our Bell 212's will drop 1600 liters or more. Our A-stars can drop 1000 liters each multiplied by the number of helicopters that we can dispatch to the fire. There are normally 4-7 helicopters that live at the Whistler base. I.E. 2 helicopters dropping 1000 liters every circuit = 2000 liters. On the Million Dollar ridge fire, we had 3 A-stars in a circuit dropping 1000 liters every few minutes, which is equal to 3000 liters every circuit!
Our Wildfire Service Helicopters
