Verification of Aerial Firefighting Agent Use in Forest Fires
Overview
To improve response capabilities for large-scale forest fires, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency will conduct tests of aerial firefighting using fire suppressant at seven sites in Iwate, Tochigi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Aichi, Ehime, and Fukuoka prefectures. A dummy agent will be mixed with water, pumped into helicopter firefighting buckets, and dispersed from the air to assess effective operating methods and challenges in real emergencies. The tests are scheduled from September 30 through November 6, with Aichi Prefecture still coordinating. They may be canceled or aerial dispersal may be omitted because of rain or helicopter deployments for disaster response.
Key points
- Tests are planned at 7 sites.
- The dummy agent will be mixed with water, pumped into firefighting buckets, and dispersed from the air.
- Tests may be canceled or dispersal may be omitted because of weather or disaster response deployments.
Overview
In response to a series of large-scale forest fires in recent years, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency has notified fire services and other organizations nationwide of effective ways to use fire suppressant in its notice, “On the Prevention of Forest Fires and Firefighting Activities,” drawing on materials including the “Report of the Study Group on Fire and Disaster Prevention Measures in Light of the Ofunato City Forest Fire.” This verification will assess operating methods and challenges to improve response capabilities.
Details
The tests will involve mixing water and the dummy agent, pumping the mixture into firefighting buckets, and dispersing it from helicopters. Unlike the suppressant used in actual emergencies, the dummy agent has no firefighting capability. It is powdered and becomes viscous when mixed with water.
Iwate Prefecture: September 30, 10:00–12:00 (alternate date, 14:00–16:00), and October 1, 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00, at the multipurpose field in Hirata Park, Hirata 5th District, Kamaishi City. Tochigi Prefecture: October 6, 10:00–12:00 (alternate time, 13:00–15:00), near Nishigoya Dam in Shioya Town. Yamanashi Prefecture: October 20, 13:00–16:30, at Tonohara Sports Park, 1134 Tenjin Nakajo, Fujikawa Town. Nagano Prefecture: October 2, 9:00–12:00, at Yomase Onsen Ski Resort, 7078 Yomase, Yamanouchi Town. Aichi Prefecture: under coordination. Ehime Prefecture: November 6, 9:30–12:30, around the baseball field at Hojo Sports Center, 86-1 Oura, Matsuyama City. Fukuoka Prefecture: November 2, 11:00–14:00, at Fukuoka Prefectural Fire Academy, 1794 Ushikuma, Kama City.
The tests may be canceled because of rain or helicopter deployments for disaster response, or only mixing and pumping may be carried out without aerial dispersal.