500guy makes a very good point.
“Give it the common sense test. Is it realistic to pull firefighters out of the northern California forests without entering the HV curve, Nope. The only thing they could have done differently in that regard is limit the aircraft to 9 seats.”
Are we confusing HV curve avoidance with Cat A type operations? Once the helicopter departs an area with a smooth hard surface most capabilities for an emergency autorotative or OEI landing are dramatically reduced or eliminated. Unless the helicopter is operated in these remote areas at a weight that allows for an OEI fly away it will always be at risk of having no choice but to land without regard to the local terrain.