San Diego firefighters test night vision goggles
SAN DIEGO — About 30 firefighters are taking part in a water drop exercise from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight in an undeveloped area east of Scripps Ranch known as the Stonebridge community. Firefighters will fill the 375-gallon tanks on two helicopters, and pilots will wear night-vision goggles to drop the water in canyons.
The drops will be at least a mile or two from the nearest homes, said Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The once-a-year exercise provides firefighters with an opportunity to practice filling the helicopter tanks and navigating the terrain at night. Luque said despite the absence of Santa Ana winds, fire danger is high because the dry and parched conditions allow fires to spread quickly. |
