Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, an eye in the sky for local fire departments during recent wildfires

“Over the last couple of weeks the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing has assisted Fire Departments throughout the state with multiple large wildfires.

Using both their aircrafts’ fire mapping technology, as well as their FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) cameras, MSP flight crews have been able to identify the size and shape of the fires and the areas of greatest concern. The Air Wing can provide fireground incident commanders with real-time video and still images of the scene, allowing firefighting assets to be placed where they are needed most.

This video was taken by an MSP Air Wing crew during a support mission over a May 1 wildfire at the Blue Hills State Reservation in Milton. The crew in Air 3, responding from the unit’s Plymouth Airbase, was in communication with both the Quincy and Milton Fire Departments. The fireground command post in the Blue Hills was monitoring live video downlinked from the helicopter to assist commanders in making tactical fire suppression decisions.

#policeaviation
#wildfireseason
#firefighting” -Massachusetts State Police.