Douglas County Wildland Helicopter Operations Training
Douglas County Wildfire Training
Photo courtesy of Deputy Chief Charles Walden – Larkspur Fire Protection District
On July 30th, 2025 several Douglas County fire departments got the opportunity to train with the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management Helicopter 5TA (N205TA) and crew for wildland helicopters operations near Sandstone Ranch Open Space in Perry Park. The 1974 Bell 205A-1 copter has a 300 gallon water capacity and can hover and dump that all in one place or release it as it flies along a fire’s edge to quickly take the punch out of, for example, a fast-moving grass fire. Firefighters on the ground worked on how to communicate with the pilot, how to work with the helicopters crew and to practice refilling the copter’s water tank with water tenders. Additional information provided by Larkspur Fire Protection District
Departments at the training included Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department, Larkspur Fire Protection District, West Douglas County Fire Protection District and West Metro Fire Rescue
Photo courtesy of Deputy Chief Charles Walden – Larkspur Fire Protection District
Photo courtesy of Ryan Alred/West Douglas County Fire
Photo courtesy of Larkspur Fire Protection District
Photo courtesy of Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department
Photo courtesy of Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department
Photo courtesy of Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department
Photo courtesy of Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Department
Photo courtesy of Deputy Chief Charles Walden – Larkspur Fire Protection District
Photo courtesy of Deputy Chief Charles Walden – Larkspur Fire Protection District
Photo courtesy of Ryan Alred/West Douglas County Fire
Photo courtesy of Ryan Alred/West Douglas County Fire