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Wednesday, January 21, 2026

FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS BOLSTERED BY BLACKHAWK

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Firefighting capability in the Western Cape has received a boost after Working on Fire’s aerial support fleet was bolstered by the arrival of a Blackhawk firefighting helicopter.

The Blackhawk was deployed to the Franschhoek fires recently, and upon its arrival, it made an immediate impact.
The MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell says this is a very welcome addition to the existing aerial capacity we have in the province.

The Blackhawk helicopter, which is owned and operated by Leading Edge Aviation, carries a water bucket (also known as a Bambi bucket) with a 3000 litre capacity.

“The Huey helicopters have a 1000l capacity. In addition, the Blackhawk is simply a faster helicopter with better all-weather capability. The helicopter will be in the Western Cape till the end of the current fire season where it will be based in Stellenbosch.”

Liesl Smit
Liesl Smit
Liesl is the Smile 90.4FM News Manager. She has been at Smile since 2016, with nearly 20 years experience in the radio industry, including reading news, field reporting and producing. In 2008 she won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award, Western Cape region. liesl@smile904.fm

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