The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California unveiled a new helicopter dip tank at the Palos Verdes Reservoir on Wednesday (November 19) to aid in combating wildfires. The nearly 4,000-gallon tank, strategically located in Rolling Hills Estates, can be refilled in just five minutes, allowing Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters to quickly refill and return to fire lines.
The dip tank, developed in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, aims to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure in areas vulnerable to wildfires. The new facility is part of a broader effort to increase wildfire resilience in Southern California. “We’ve seen the damage that wildfires and climate change can inflict on our communities,” said Adán Ortega, Jr., board chair of the Metropolitan Water District, during the dedication event attended by local leaders.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department demonstrated the dip tank’s capabilities at the event, showcasing how helicopters can hover overhead, fill directly from the tank, and quickly return to fight fires. “Every second counts when it comes to fighting a wildfire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Harris, emphasizing the importance of the new resource.
The project cost nearly $900,000 and complements another dip tank at the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda, unveiled earlier this month. These facilities are part of Metropolitan’s climate adaptation and fire management strategies, aiming to create a safer and more resilient Southern California.
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