A Hydrant for Helicopters: Strengthening Wildfire Response and Water Planning
Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District is partnering with the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) to install a water system connection that will serve a new heli-hydrant station along Brookside Avenue.
A heli-hydrant is essentially a hydrant designed specifically for helicopters. As shown in the diagram, it is a self-contained unit with a tank, controls, and an air gap that allows firefighting helicopters to quickly refill water without traveling long distances. By reducing travel time between refills, aerial crews can respond faster and more efficiently during wildfire emergencies.
Recent fire seasons in our region have demonstrated the importance of strengthening emergency response infrastructure throughout the Pass Area.
“This partnership reflects how regional agencies can work together to improve public safety while planning responsibly for the future,” said BCVWD Board Member Daniel Slawson. “By coordinating this connection now, we are supporting wildfire response efforts and extending infrastructure that will serve a future District well site in a fiscally responsible way.”
Through this joint project:
- SGPWA will own and operate the heli-hydrant facility
- BCVWD will construct the shared water connection
- Infrastructure will also extend toward a planned future well location
By building this connection during initial construction, both agencies avoid higher costs that would come with separate future installations.
This project strengthens regional wildfire response while supporting BCVWD’s long-term water reliability planning, a smart investment in both safety and sustainability.
Learn more about our Capital Improvement Program at https://bcvwd.gov
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