Decommissioned army helicopter will fight wildfires in state

A Vietnam-era army helicopter will be serving a new purpose next year in time for the wildfire season. The 49-year-old Huey helicopter was given to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for free.

The DNR will spend $1.1 million to refit the helicopter, which was originally built in 1970.

Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz told KING-TV in Seattle that the cost is considerably lower than buying a new helicopter. She said adding another helicopter will make a big difference come fire season.

“They’re able to get that fire easier contained and also in some very challenging topog...