Broward County, FL – The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) marked a major milestone this week with its first-ever aerial firefighting mission, helping contain a fast-moving brush fire in the Everglades.
According to BSO, the blaze was reported Tuesday, January 27, near Mile Marker 46 along I-75 in the Everglades Wildlife Management Area. Fire rescue airboat teams and the agency’s new aviation unit, operating an Airbus H145 helicopter equipped with a water bucket system, responded immediately.
Officials said the fire had spread to an area roughly the size of a football field before crews arrived. Working together from the air and ground, teams conducted several precision water drops, using thousands of gallons drawn from a nearby canal to extinguish flames before they could advance further.
Sheriff Gregory Tony said the successful operation underscores the growing importance of aviation capabilities in emergency response, particularly in Broward County’s vast and difficult-to-reach terrain.
“This mission highlights how aerial firefighting protects both the environment and our residents,” Tony said in a statement.
No injuries were reported, and officials confirmed the fire was fully contained.
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