Kalispell's Two Bear Air Rescue makes summer saves

KALISPELL, Mont. — As summer brings more people outside, there are more chances for emergencies in remote areas where ground rescue teams may not be able to reach someone quickly.

This is where Two Bear Air Rescue helps. The Kalispell-based air rescue team assists local authorities in Montana, Idaho and parts of Oregon and Washington at no cost.

The team has already been busy this summer, including a rescue last Saturday outside Libby after a hiker had a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.

Chief pilot James Heckman said they are about as busy as normal for this time of year.

“Typically, we're between 20 and 30 requests or calls or incidents in the month of July. So far we're at about nine incidents. We're, you know, 50% of normal, but we've got a lot of the month left,” said Heckman.

More from this section

Single guy builds own dating site after giving up on Tinder

Which Airports Were Most Impacted by the TSA Funding Lapse?

Missoula traffic stop video draws attention after wrongful tasing

Heckman said hot weather also makes missions tougher for crews and for the aircraft itself.

“We've already been responding to some incidents regarding the heat and the effects on the human body,” said Heckman. “The helicopter, it's affected by the heat itself. When the air is warm, the air molecules are spread further apart from one another. And that means there's less air molecules to strike the rotor blades.”

He said that challenge is one reason Two Bear Air upgraded to a new Airbus H-145 D3 helicopter for this season. The new aircraft should give the crew better performance in hot air and high altitude than its old Bell helicopter.

Heckman also reminded people to carry plenty of water and emergency supplies before heading out into remote areas so that they do not end up needing an airlift.