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I-90 Complex - Kennedy Helibase
Lolo National Forest, Ninemile RD
The I-90 Complex was located on the Lolo NF, Ninemile RD, and was human caused. The fires were just west of Missoula, MT. Three of us from Fort Howes were sent as Helicopter Crewmembers to staff the helibase. I was assigned to a Bell 205++ operated by Summit Helicopters of Cloverdale, VA. At one time there were 10 helicopters at the helibase: 4 heavies, 3 mediums, and 3 lights. During this fire there were two helibases, one at Superior which served both the Prospect fire and the I-90 Complex in its initial stages, and one near the Ninemile RD that served the I-90 complex after the first few days.
 Lama on the pad at Kennedy Helibase |
 Lama dipping at Church dipsite |
 Close-up of Lama dipping |
 Bell 205++ (L) and Bell 212 (R). The 205 is the Missoula National ship |
 Bell 205++, a CWN ship owned by Summit Helicopters |
 Bell 205++ landing at Superior Helibase |
 Another look at Superior Helibase |
 Superior Helibase at sunset |
 Mark and the Missoula National ship at Superior Helibase |
 Tanker 790 dropping on the I-90 Complex |
 Tanker 790 taking off at Kennedy Helibase |
 Two heavies at Kennedy Helibase |
 Three heavies inbound at Kennedy Helibase |
 Tanker 766 at Kennedy Helibase |
 Rainier KMax at Kennedy Helibase |
 Superior Helicopters KMax |
 Bell 407 from the Kaibab Helitack Crew at Missoula Airport |
 Plume from I-90 seen from the helibase |
 Another look at the plume |
 Plume seen from helibase |
These last three images are lighter in character. In order to get the helibase up and running, some improvement was needed... |
 Bucking bales at Kennedy Helibase with the Park Service lending a hand |
 What rental rigs are good for: We put 38 bales of hay on this one |
 Something you don't see every day: A firefighter bucking bales on a working helibase |
Previous Gallery - Bighorn Helibase
Next Gallery - Fort Howes Helitack 2006
"Public wilderness areas are, first of all, a means of perpetuating, in sport form, the more virile and primitive skills in pioneering travel and subsistence." - Aldo Leopold