Helicopter stationed in La Gomera

The helicopter stationed on La Gomera (Image source: gomeratoday.com)

La Gomera now has a multi-functional helicopter stationed at the airport above Playa de Santiago for the summer months. The chopper is equipped for rescue missions and can carry a load of 1500 litres of water in a special attachment for firefighting purposes when needed.  It arrived last Friday and will remain in La Gomera on stand-by until October. For next year it is planned that the same helicopter will be on the island for six months from May. The funding came from Canarian government.

Canary Islands to get firefighting plane this summer

A water-bomber in action 2012

A fire-fighting plane for the Canary Islands will be permanently stationed at La Gomera's small Playa de Santiago airport for the duration of the dry summer season. The airport is very quiet with only a couple of commuter flight to Tenerife and back daily. All the islands with important forests are reached very quickly from there and the forested national park of La Gomera which suffered a devastating fire in 2012 is close by. There is also an ample supply of water at the island's airport allowing a rapid response to any fire. The amphibious water-bomber is to be on stand-by there from the first of July until the end of October.