New water tank at San Diego Zoo Safari Park will help helicopters fight wildfires - The San Diego Union-Tribune

A new, innovative water tank that will help firefighting helicopters refill from the air was installed at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to bolster the region's wildfire response capabilities in Escondido and surrounding areas.

The project was a collaborative effort between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, regional fire departments and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Situated in a secluded section of the Safari Park, the 8,500-gallon Heli-Hydrant will make emergency services much more agile and efficient by supplementing existing water sources, such as Lake Wohlford to the north and Lake Poway to the south, and providing another accessible reserve for firefighting helicopters.

A San Diego County Sheriff's Department firefighting helicopter demonstrates a water drop after filling up at the new Heli-Hydrant water tank at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

(Courtesy of Laura Vero/San Diego Zoo Safari Park)

This expansion is particularly critical for areas west of Lake Sutherland, which previously had limited access to water resources for fire emergencies, according to officials.

The tank includes a hardwired control cabinet and is equipped with multiple solar-powered backup batteries for power outages.

An automatic fill valve will also allow for refilling it quickly as pilots approach and for leaving it empty for safety reasons when it is not in use.

"Conservation is a collective journey that starts with people, grows through community action, and culminates into meaningful change," said Lisa Peterson, executive director for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. "United by a swift and singular vision, our community made an important change that will shield both our neighborhoods and the local wildlife from the threat of wildfires for decades to come."