Colorado buying new firefighter helicopter

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)- With wildfires common all around Colorado, the state is one step closer to owning a second “firehawk,” which is a specialized firefighting helicopter.

The aircraft will cost about $26 million. The first firehawk will arrive this fire season and the second one will be here after it has been completed and retrofitted.

A modified blackhawk helicopter, AKA a "firehawk," battles the Valley Fire in San Diego County,... — A modified blackhawk helicopter, AKA a "firehawk," battles the Valley Fire in San Diego County, California on Sept. 7, 2020.(CAL FIRE / SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE)

Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg said, “This will allow us to actually own the asset. So we have access to it year round, whenever we want it, we will have our own people flying it maintaining it, it’s actually going to save the state a lot of money in the long run.”

He also stated that the chopper will pay for itself, and guarantees Colorado does not have to wait in line with other western states frequently slammed by forest fires.

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