Avialsa treats more than 400 fires by midseason

Valencian region (Spain)-based Avialsa T-35 S.L. has participated in over 280 forest fires during this summer season in Valencia region as of mid-July. From fire bases in Siete Aguas, Enguera, Mutxamiel, Castellón, Vistabella and Benagéber, nine Air Tractor AT-802s of which two are Fire Bosses were on-call.
“With the heat wave, we must be even more prepared to react as soon as possible and get an early arrival to the forest fires,” points Mr. Lucio Conejos, head of Avialsa’s ground operations.
This year, from its main base in Viver Spain, Avialsa participated in two forest fires, one in March in Segart inside Sierra Calderona (a protected mountainous area) and July 6 at Benafer.
“In less than 30 minutes, we were fully operative at Viver airfield. Thanks to a five-minute rotation per plane, the forest fire was quickly controlled without any consequences,” details Mr. Conejos. Also, from May 1 to October 31, Avialsa operated in the Catalonian town of Igualada.
All year long, Avialsa has had two AT-802s in Sabadell (Catalonia). A total of four Air Tractor AT-802s participated in over 100 forest fires missions in Catalonia.
Avialsa renewed in June the contract for aerial forest fire protection in the region of l’Hérault (France) for the summer season of 2016. Starting June 15, two Air Tractor AT-802s worked from Beziers airport and starting July 15 another one from Candillargues. In France, since the summer fire season has started, Avialsa has flown over 20 forest fires.
During this summer fire season as of mid-July, Avialsa aircraft have flown over 1,000 flight hours and participated in more than 400 forest fires in Valencia, Catalonia and France.
The Avialsa teams of pilots, mechanics and ground personnel are under alert 24/7 year round to offer the best aerial firefighting service possible. Avialsa is a 100% Valencian-owned company that offers aerial services since 1965.
The company is located in the technological park of Paterna with more than 100 people working year round with an increase in personnel during forest fire season.