The IRCS helicopters completed 108 sorties by the end of the operation, delivering 178 tons of water drops using Mil helicopters.

Ali Bahlouli, CEO of Navid Helicopter Services Company, affiliated with the Iranian Red Crescent, said: “Each Mil helicopter, under standard conditions and according to the flight manual, can carry up to four tons of water. Since Nowshahr is at sea level, the flying equipment was able to operate at its maximum capacity, allowing us to load four tons of water on each flight,”

“We heliborne 182 specialized firefighters and trained personnel behind the fire zone. Essentially, the forest firefighting operation was carried out in a combined manner. We deployed ground forces to the field and provided aerial support by supplying their food and equipment via helicopter. Finally, the helicopters performed firefighting in the more difficult-to-access areas that were beyond the reach of ground forces,” he added.

Overall, the Red Crescent helicopters completed 53 hours and 40 minutes of firefighting missions until the end of this operation.