A Bell 412 helicopter from the No. 4 Squadron of the SLAF was deployed to carry out Bambi Bucket Operations to extinguish a sudden wildfire that broke out in the Nallathanniya Valamale Upper Forest Reserve, located in Maskeliya, Nuwara Eliya District.

The deployment was carried out following a request from the Ministry of Disaster Management, in accordance with directives from the Ministry of Defence. In response, a Bell 412 helicopter was dispatched from SLAF Base Ratmalana today (24 February 2025). During the evening, the helicopter successfully conducted 10 water drops, sourcing water from the Maussakele Reservoir, the closest available water source, to suppress the fire and prevent its further spread.