During the ongoing battle against a major forest fire in southern France, in the Brittany region, a serious accident involving a firefighting helicopter occurred. The aircraft, equipped with a special water bucket known as a Bambi Bucket, used for fighting fires, lost control while attempting to scoop water from one of the water reservoirs.
Dangerous Accident
The helicopter suddenly turned and plunged into the water, resulting in an emergency landing in the lake. Two people were on board, a pilot and a firefighter taking part in the firefighting operation. Both were immediately pulled from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where their condition is, fortunately, stable.
Witnesses filmed the moment of the crash, and rescuers rushed to help immediately.
The plan is to recover the wreckage from the lake using a Super Puma transport helicopter. The exact causes of the accident are currently being investigated by specialized services.
The accident happened while crews were fighting one of the largest forest fires France has experienced in the summer of 2025. The fire spread across thousands of hectares in the south of the country, in the Aude department, destroying forests, threatening homes and forcing residents to evacuate. Nearly two thousand firefighters, hundreds of vehicles, and many airplanes and water-dropping helicopters took part in the firefighting operation.
