Ford’s Bronco Wildland Firefighting Command Vehicle Is Hot Stuff

The Nationwide Park Service simply obtained lots cooler as Ford has donated a customized firefighting command automobile to be used at Bandelier Nationwide Monument in New Mexico.

The firefighting rig is predicated on the Bronco Badlands and comes geared up with the Sasquatch bundle. The latter is worthy of Bigfoot himself because it provides a high-clearance suspension, entrance and rear digital lockers, and 17-inch wheels which might be wrapped in 35-inch mud-terrain tires.

Whereas that will be overkill for many hearth departments, it’s an enormous asset in Bandelier because the park spans over 33,000 acres (51.5 sq. miles) and two-thirds of it’s designated wilderness. The shortage of roads and infrastructure is a major problem, and one which the Bronco will help to beat.

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The Bronco was modified by Darley and incorporates a factory-installed Warn winch in addition to a grille guard and beadlock wheels with crimson accents. They’re joined by a roof rack, which has been outfitted with a light-weight bar, emergency lights, and a “state-of-the-art authorities communication system.” The latter options satellite tv for pc and antenna connections to offer reliability and redundancy in distant environments.

The upgrades proceed within the cabin as there’s a pill mounted on the entrance passenger aspect. It may possibly show stay video from the included drone and Ford famous this provides firefighters “improved aerial reconnaissance, detection capabilities, and improved situational consciousness.”

The SUV follows within the footsteps of the Bronco and Filson Wildland Hearth Rig Idea and was donated by way of the Bronco Wild Fund. The latter goals to “improve entry, preservation and stewardship of our public lands,” and has donated greater than $3.7 million to organizations similar to America’s State Parks, Outward Sure, Sons of Smokey, and the Nationwide Forest Basis. That effort is ongoing and Ford famous a second automobile is already within the works.

We’ll study extra sooner or later, however the superintendent of Bandelier Nationwide Monument, Patrick Suddath, stated: “I wish to thank Ford for this beneficiant donation. During the last 20 years, hotter temperatures and stronger winds have resulted in larger fires which might be more durable to foretell and handle.” He added that the Bronco will assist them higher handle some of these fires in addition to decrease their influence on native tribes.