DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — When a wildfire ignited south of Castle Rock on Tuesday, Douglas County requested state aviation support. Colorado’s brand-new $25 million Firehawk helicopter, based at Rocky Mountain Regional Airport in Broomfield, did not respond. The reason: it was too windy to fly.
A 51-year-old U.S. Forest Service helicopter, based less than 100 yards away at the same airport, launched instead.
The U.S. Forest Service Type 2 helicopter completed 27 water bucket drops over approximately one hour, helping firefighters contain the blaze before it damaged any structures…