When wildfires rage and the heat is on, rapid and effective response methods are required to suppress the blaze before it spreads. That’s when the Bambi Bucket® swings into action, transforming helicopters into flying water tanks that serve as critical assets for fighting fires from above.

Read on to discover what Bambi Buckets are, how this innovative technology works, advanced firefighting techniques that employ Bambi Buckets, and how this unique fire suppression solution has supported real-life firefighting missions.

Bambi Bucket Technology

So, what is a Bambi Bucket and how does it work? A Bambi Bucket is a large, collapsible container designed to carry and deliver significant amounts of water onto targeted areas during aerial firefighting operations. 

Originally developed by Canadian inventor and entrepreneur Don Arney in 1982, these devices are designed with a deep understanding of aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. They are capable of holding large volumes of water without compromising the helicopter’s lift capacity or maneuverability.

What sets the Bambi Bucket apart from other aerial firefighting tools is its flexibility and ease of use. Made of durable, fire-resistant material like fiberglass and metal, these buckets hang suspended from firefighting helicopters by long ropes or cables to provide precise and efficient aerial water delivery. When a large fire occurs, ground crews can quickly attach a Bambi Bucket to the helicopter and deploy it to the fire, where pilots can release water from the bucket onto the raging fire below with pinpoint accuracy.

Key features include the pilot-controlled valve, which strategically releases several gallons of water per minute, and the internal configuration, which enhances flow and forms a solid body of water to ensure an effective and targeted response to fires that threaten wildlife and surrounding communities.

Filling the Bambi Bucket

The Bambi Bucket is designed to be easily filled from various water sources in a matter of seconds, including lakes, rivers, swimming pools, and water tanks. Its unique design allows it to scoop water efficiently, even in shallow or murky conditions. Once filled, the helicopter can haul the bucket to the fire and the pilot or aerial crew can drop the water precisely where it’s needed.

This rapid fill-and-drop process is one of the reasons why the Bambi Bucket is such a valuable tool in wildfire suppression efforts. Its ability to quickly provide large quantities of water to the frontlines helps prevent the spread of flames and protect nearby structures and ecosystems.

Impact on the Firefighting Industry

This simple yet ingenious device is now available in 20 different sizes, with capacities ranging from 72 to 2,600 gallons, depending on the specific model. This allows operators to choose the appropriate model to match their mission’s profile and their hired helicopter’s capabilities.

These numerous benefits explain why Bambi Buckets command over 95% of the international market for aerial firefighting buckets and are currently used in over 115 countries across the globe.

Bambi Bucket Firefighting Techniques

Effective use of a Bambi Bucket isn’t just about dropping water from the sky onto raging fires below. Proper use of Bambi Buckets requires specialized firefighting helicopters, extensively trained crews, and advanced knowledge of aerial firefighting techniques and strategy.

In this section, we’ll highlight a few firefighting techniques that ensure effective and efficient fire suppression with proper deployment.

Targeted Drops

Targeted drops refer to the pilot’s ability to accurately target hot spots with a solid column of water released from the Bambi Bucket, rather than a dispersed spray. This method increases the likelihood of extinguishing fires quickly.

There are several crucial water-dropping methods used to fight and suppress fires, depending on the specific need:

• Wet Drop: This type of drop requires the helicopter to hover over the fire and drop water that drenches a specific area or building to halt the spread of the fire.
  
  
• Spot Drop: This drop is similar to a wet drop, but the helicopter hovers at a lower altitude to disperse water onto a smaller area and extinguish the blaze in one specific, targeted area.
  
  
• Stitch Drop: This technique requires the pilot to fly directly over the fire’s path and drop water in a straight line.
  
  
• Hook Drop: This is a method in which the firefighting helicopter flies over the blaze in an arc to release water in a curved pattern.

Highly skilled and experienced pilots and technicians, like the aerial firefighting crews available for hire from Helicopter Express, are trained in all four drop techniques to ensure they are capable of tackling even the most challenging wildfire situations.

Coordinated Drops

Another firefighting technique involves attacking the fire from multiple angles at once. Firefighting helicopters outfitted with Bambi Buckets are capable of delivering a coordinated series of drops to rapidly suppress the spread of a fire in fast-moving scenarios. 

Coordinated drops require skilled and experienced pilots who know how to efficiently synchronize with ground crews and other aircraft to use resources as efficiently as possible. 

Fire Breaks

A fire break is another vital firefighting strategy frequently employed by rapid response firefighting helicopter companies. A fire break is a cleared area of vegetation on the ground, typically created by firefighters, that serves as a barrier to prevent the spread of a wildfire. 

A fire break serves two key purposes: one is that, by dropping water along a specific line, the fire is prevented from advancing further in a particular direction. The second is that fire breaks enable firefighting aircraft to safely access water sources like lakes, rivers, and water tanks that are located within the fire break. This allows them to refill their buckets without needing to fly long distances to reach other water sources. 

Employing fire breaks as a means of refilling Bambi Buckets optimizes efficiency and allows aerial firefighting crews to continue suppression efforts without the need for extensive pauses that could allow the fire to spread.

Real-Life Firefighting Missions

Numerous high-profile firefighting operations across the globe have employed the Bambi Bucket as a means of stopping the spread of wildfires in order to save lives, preserve nature, and safeguard communities. Here are a couple of examples.

Australian Bushfires of 2020

Helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets played a critical role in battling the “Black Summer” Australian bushfires of 2020. These fires were among the most devastating in Australian history, burning millions of acres of land and posing a threat to Australian lives, homes, and wildlife.

Extensively trained crews with specialized firefighting helicopters made frequent drops over remote areas, using advanced aerial firefighting techniques to suppress fires that were largely inaccessible to ground crews due to difficult terrain and the overpowering intensity of the flames. 

In this case, firefighting helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets helped to protect communities and natural habitats from further wide-reaching destruction.

Annual Wildfires of California

Another notable example of the use of Bambi Buckets in fighting wildfires comes from California’s wildfire seasons. The state’s rugged landscapes, strong winds, and dry conditions create the ideal environment for fast-spreading fires. Bambi Buckets are essential in preventing fires from jumping containment lines, especially in areas where ground crews are at risk and hard to reach.

For instance, in 2015, helicopter crews using Bambi Buckets were instrumental in suppressing dozens of California wildfires that threatened several Northern California communities. Helicopter crews and ground-based operations mobilized to support the California National Guard in its wildland firefighting efforts. Within just five days, crews had dropped nearly 430 buckets (2.5 million pounds) of water onto Modoc County’s Day Fire and Mendocino County’s Lodge Complex Fire.

The Sky's the Limit with Modern-Day Bambi Buckets

The Bambi Bucket is a vital fire suppression tool in modern day firefighting, enabling skilled helicopter pilots to quickly and efficiently deliver water to fires that are difficult for ground crews to access. The bucket’s innovative design and the advanced techniques employed by experienced pilots and crews make it an indispensable factor in protecting lives, property, and the environment. 

When you see a helicopter soaring high above a wildfire, it’s likely carrying a Bambi Bucket, doing its part to stop the fire in its tracks.

Choose Helicopter Express for Precision Aerial Firefighting

If you’re interested in hiring a reliable helicopter crew to assist you in times of crisis, look no further than Helicopter Express. Our arsenal includes specialized firefighting helicopters, extensively trained crews, and advanced aerial firefighting techniques. 

Whether it’s delivering water precisely with a Bambi Bucket, executing controlled backfires, providing critical recon through aerial surveys, or performing vital search and rescue efforts, our Atlanta-based helicopter service experts can handle it all. Learn more about our rapid-response firefighting services or contact us today.