Colorado’s first Firehawk helicopter ready for launch amid expected average fire activity this spring

DENVER — Colorado’s first Firehawk helicopter was on display Wednesday as Gov. Jared Polis and other state officials presented this year’s wildfire preparedness plan.

The Firehawk is expected to be operational around May 10 after pilots of the aircraft complete a final acceptance test next week, according to Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Director Mike Morgan. “The fire outlook for this year, current forecasts indicate that it will be normal fire potential expected across most of Colorado for the outlook period of April through July. Except for Southeast Colorado, some elevated conditions down there in the San Luis Valley,” Morgan said during a press conference Wednesday at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield.

Despite what may be an average season, the Firehawk helicopter will be busy responding to fires anywhere in the state at a moment’s notice, extinguishing blazes before they grow. The helicopter can also fly in the night and is capable of flying in worse wind conditions than standard helicopters.

Colorado Fire Colorado Firehawk Colorado Wildfire Season Fire Outlook Firehawk Jared Pols Polis Wildfire Wildfire Outlook

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