Air Force sends 2 choppers to put out Rapu-Rapu fire

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Force has deployed two helicopters to help put out the bush fire that has affected thousands of families in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said the 505th Search and Rescue Group dispatched an AW3 Sokol last Sunday to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire.

A Huey II helicopter then conducted a bambi bucket operations to prevent the fire from spreading. A bambi bucket is a specialized container suspended on a cable and carried by a helicopter to deliver water for aerial firefighting.

“The local government of Albay requested for our assistance so we immediately provided the helicopter,” Canaya said.

Field reports said the fire started over the weekend and affected Poblacion, Morocboron, Sitio Acal, Mananao, Guadalupe, and Buenavista.  Another fire occurred at San Ramon, Sitio Minto, Batan Island and engulfed the upland crops of residents.

“Kaingin was the possible cause of fire accompanied by the strong winds,” Canaya said, referring to a method of cultivating land by burning trees.

About 5,000 families were affected by the bush fire.

The Air Force has so far conducted three sorties, allowing the helicopters to dump 31 buckets-fill of water over the affected areas.

A helicopter from Davao arrived in Bicol to help the local government address the crisis.