SLAF helps control Laggala forest fire
Two Bell 212 helicopters were deployed yesterday to assist in
retarding the spread of a major forest fire which erupted in the Laggala
forest area close to Wilgamuwa in the Matale District.
The fire in the Laggala forest area |
Using water from an adjacent tank, the helicopter crew of the first
Bell 212 battled the fire with the aid of its underslung 'Bambi bucket'
flying six consecutive shuttles and limited the spread of the raging
flames.
On a request made by the Disaster Management Center, SLAF pilots
Squadron Leader Chamila Hiripitiya and Flight Lieutenant Dumidu
Marasinghe deployed to the area. The pilots had to fly 7 km from the
scene of the fire to obtain water from a tank which was itself an
arduous task as the water levels in the tank had also deplet ed.
As at 5 pm last evening, one Bell 212 had returned and a second
helicopter had been dispatched to continue the battle.
The second mission was carried out by Squadron Leader Banuka
Delgahagoda and Flying Officer Thilina Gardiarachchi. |