Abstract: Aerial firefighting by helicopters is an important means of forest fire protection in China. Based on the analysis of the application process of helicopter firefighting, a helicopter firefighting capability index system was constructed including 20 influencing factors from four dimensions: helicopter operation safety, helicopter technical performance, fire scene operation environment, and institutional guarantee system. A relevant matrix of influencing factor indicators was established to reveal the key factors affecting the helicopter's firefighting capability and improve the firefighting and rescue capability of helicopters by using the DEMATEL method. The results showed that the center degrees of helicopter flight speed, flight altitude, flight attitude, number of helicopters, ground-air cooperation ability, and pilot driving ability were the highest, which were the direct factors affecting the helicopter firefighting capability. In helicopter firefighting operations, it is important to focus on the safety of the helicopter, enhance technological content, and optimize ground-air cooperation capabilities. This conclusion can provide a basis for decision-making in improving the firefighting capability of forest aviation helicopters.

Key words: forest aviation, helicopter firefighting, forest fire, DEMATEL, helicopter bucket dropping