Amidst  strong winds, a  Bell 212 helicopter from No. 07 Squadron of SLAF Base at Hingurakgoda successfully  controlled  a major forest fire which erupted in Knuckles range, welangala, about 07Km from Hasalaka  North west, this afternoon(27thJune 2011) .

Using water from an adjacent Tank using “bambi buckets”, the helicopter crew succeeded in controlling the raging flames within 03 consecutive shuttles.

The mission was led by Squadron Leader Sameera Vidanapathirana with Flying Officer Randunuge as his co-pilot.