Deadly wildfires erupted across central Portugal on June 17 with the vast majority in Pedrógão Grande, Leiria district. By June 20, 44969 hectares (450 km2) were burned by the fires. 1700 firefighters came nationwide to combat the blazes and many other countries including France, Italy, Morocco and Spain deployed resources as well.
Air support response was provided by companies Everjets and Heliportugal which were under contract by the Portuguese Government for the summer firefighting season (DECIF2017). HeliBravo was contracted by the Portuguese paper industry association (AFOCELCA, callsign CELCA) to protect their forests. Numerous aircraft were leased to face the catastrophic disaster from several European companies including Agrarflug Helilift, Babcock (ex INAER), Meravo and Mont Blanc Helicopteres.
In all, 64 people died and 204 were injured. At least two helicopters crashed during these events.
Air support response was provided by companies Everjets and Heliportugal which were under contract by the Portuguese Government for the summer firefighting season (DECIF2017). HeliBravo was contracted by the Portuguese paper industry association (AFOCELCA, callsign CELCA) to protect their forests. Numerous aircraft were leased to face the catastrophic disaster from several European companies including Agrarflug Helilift, Babcock (ex INAER), Meravo and Mont Blanc Helicopteres.
In all, 64 people died and 204 were injured. At least two helicopters crashed during these events.
Individual helicopters |
Model | IDs |
---|---|
Bell 212 | CS-HEZ D-HARZ D-HBWP D-HGPP EC-MDU EC-MDV |
Bell 205A-1 | D-HAFR D-HOOK |
Eurocopter AS350B2 Ecureuil | CS-HED D-HCOL D-HERI D-HMMW |
Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil | CS-HHO CS-HIB CS-HIC CS-HID CS-HIG CS-HMI CS-HMJ D-HAUO D-HAUW D-HCLA D-HDAN F-HADE HB-ZSE OE-XHE OE-XHG OE-XHP OE-XPP w/o OE-XTM w/o OM-XBC |
Aerospatiale AS350B1 Ecureuil | CS-HFT D-HAUU |
Aerospatiale AS350B2 Ecureuil | CS-HFN D-HAUR F-GJJH |
Aerospatiale AS350B Ecureuil | D-HAUA D-HELI F-GKMB |
Russian Helicopters Ka-32A11BC | CS-HMK CS-HMM CS-HMP |