ClimateAugust 24, 2026
helitack
HEL-i-tak
Definition
A specialized firefighting technique or crew that uses helicopters to transport personnel and equipment rapidly to the site of a wildfire to perform initial attack operations.
Etymology
A portmanteau of the words 'helicopter' and 'attack', reflecting the strategy of using aerial support to rapidly engage and suppress fires upon discovery.
In the news
The article mentions a helitack crew that became trapped by fire, illustrating the high-stakes dangers faced by specialized teams during the active fire season.
Explaining Zone Zero
Read the full article ↗LAist