The "Incredible Hulk" is now available to help fight wildfires in San Diego County. The county will be able to use a firefighting helicopter with that nickname this wildfire season.
The “Incredible Hulk” firefighting helicopter is one of the largest in the world. It can carry 2,500 gallons of water and can refuel in about 45 seconds.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders says San Diego Gas and Electric will pay to lease the helicopter and its crew for the wildfire season. The utility will also pay to operate the helicopter for the first two hours of every call. Sanders says the "Incredible Hulk" will be a vital tool.
“When the wildfires start, the first minutes and hours are the most critical. Having a heli-tanker for initial attack on any fire will help increase our chances of success,” he says.
The helicopter will be made available throughout the county and will be staffed nine hours a day, but will not fly at night. Fire officials say the craft’s large size makes it possible to fly in strong wind conditions.
