Does Scotland have the 'game changer' helicopters it needs to fight wildfires?

Aerial firefighting pilots complete training far beyond standard helicopter flight. They're skilled in water collection, bucket deployment and precision flying.Skyhook's helicopters can be fitted out with "Bambi Buckets". These carry up to 1,000 litres of water and allow repeated pick-ups and water drops.But it says response times to wildfires will depend on any other job the helicopter is undertaking at the time. "As a commercial operator, we often receive requests several hours after a wildfire has already taken hold," a spokesperson tells the BBC."In many cases, an earlier aerial response has the potential to support ground crews while a fire is smaller and more easily contained."However, as a commercial helicopter operator, we are not currently funded or contracted by any organisation to maintain a dedicated aerial firefighting capability or crews on permanent standby."Skyhook, of course, does not want to see Scotland's landscape burn. But as a private operator, it must balance its wildfire response with its commitments to commercial clients."The Scottish government said it had learnt the lessons after Dava Moor," says Sandy McCook, from Nethy Bridge community council."Well I'm sorry, but the lessons have not been learnt. "It is untenable the position they are taking that they have enough equipment. It is helicopters that are needed."Andrew Baxter, Lib Dem MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch says he has taken the matter Scotland's Justice Secretary Neil Gray.Baxter says both the Scottish and UK governments should have "publicly available" firefighting aircraft during the wildfire season, rather than relying on private operators."At the moment it takes too long to get support to where it is needed," he says."We risk seeing serious loss of life unless we have a robust fire plan with aircraft that can be called upon at short notice."Neil Gray told the BBC that fire chiefs say they have access to "all the resources needed" to contain the Cairngorms blaze.But he said if there were "requests and innovations" over the growing threat of wildfires, he would discuss this with the SFRS.He added: "I'm incredibly proud of the response from officers."