In Cape Town, the sound of Bell Huey helicopters signals wildfires on Table Mountain, where pilots like John Mittelmeyer drop water to contain the blazes. These aircraft play a key role in initial suppression, working alongside ground crews to protect the area. Most fires have human origins, highlighting the need for vigilance in this fynbos-rich landscape.
The distinctive thud of Bell Huey helicopters, Vietnam-era machines painted bright yellow, alerts Cape Town residents to fires on Table Mountain. Pilots from Kishugu Aviation, such as John Mittelmeyer, respond swiftly to radio calls reporting smoke. Mittelmeyer, a Cape Town native who began flying in the 1970s, prepares his helicopter and heads to a water source like the Molteno Reservoir or the harbor to fill a suspended bucket with about 1,000 liters of water.
Each drop targets the fire's advancing head, which spreads in a V shape driven by wind, often at the wind's speed. 'The head of the fire moves with the wind,' Mittelmeyer explains, noting that from the air, the blaze reveals its three-dimensional structure, showing burnt areas, active flames, and direction of movement. A busy hour can involve up to 30 drops, creating a rhythmic cycle of scooping, climbing, and releasing water. 'It becomes quite rhythmic,' he says. 'You scoop, you climb, you drop. Then you go again.'
The bucket operates simply: it fills automatically when lowered into water and releases via a cockpit button. Mittelmeyer uses a mirror to monitor it during single-pilot operations. However, helicopters alone cannot extinguish fires completely. 'People think the helicopters are the answer,' Mittelmeyer says. 'They’re not. They’re part of the answer.' Ground crews are vital to stamp out hidden embers in the brush.
Fires on Table Mountain often start from human activities, such as unattended cooking fires, deliberate vegetation burning for shack construction, or careless actions. 'You can often see exactly where it started,' Mittelmeyer observes, pointing out spots near roads. In one recent incident, while crews fought one fire, two more ignited nearby. Vegetation influences fire behavior: fynbos burns quickly and regrows, while pine crowns can accelerate flames, and palmiet plants smolder persistently.
Pilots must judge drops carefully to avoid fanning flames with rotor downdraft. Flying low ensures precision but carries risks. Mittelmeyer describes the work's adrenaline: 'There’s always an adrenalin rush. When you’re in the moment, nothing else matters.' Early intervention often limits fires to their origin point. Kishugu Aviation contracts with SANParks for these operations, emphasizing passion for the demanding role.
