US Donates Specialized Aerial Equipment to El Salvador to Combat Forest Fires.

San Salvador, El Salvador – The United States Government has donated specialized aerial equipment to El Salvador to enhance the country’s ability to combat forest fires, particularly during the dry season. Today, U.S. Ambassador William Duncan delivered four “Bambi Buckets” to the Government of El Salvador, in a ceremony attended by key Salvadoran officials including Minister of Defense René Merino Monroy, Minister of Justice and Public Security Gustavo Villatoro, and Karla de Palma from the Salvadoran Emergency Committee (Agencia Esco).

The four “Bambi Buckets,” valued at $198,253.20, are large, collapsible containers designed to transport up to 360 gallons of water by air. They will be used by UH-1H and Bell 412 helicopters to more effectively combat forest fires and other large-scale blazes.

This donation is part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) led by the U.S. Department of Defense. Ambassador Duncan emphasized the significance of the donation, stating, “This donation is a testament to our continued commitment to support the government of El Salvador in its mission to protect the environment and the safety of the Salvadoran people.”

The Bambi Buckets will significantly enhance El Salvador’s response capacity, providing vital resources to combat the devastating fires that often occur during the dry season.