EMB ERJ 135 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Weather
On vectors for visual approach due to forest fires; we were maintaining 6000 feet as instructed. We were informed by ATC of numerous TV helicopters in the area and were visually searching for traffic. We heard over the radio that these helicopters were being told to maintain VFR at or below 5000 feet. While passing near the smoke plume; on assigned heading of 9000 feet; level 6000 feet; ATC informed us again of helicopter traffic at our 11 o'clock and 1 mile maneuvering. No visual contact was made. TCAS showed this traffic in a climb. TA alert was received from this traffic; followed by an RA informing us not to descend. We complied and remained level. Shortly after; new RA instruction to climb 1000 ft/min. PIC disconnected auto-pilot and complied with RA while First Officer (FO) informed ATC we were responding to RA; we climbed to 6250 feet. Clear of conflict we returned to assigned altitude of 6000 feet. No heading changes were made during this event. ATC warned helicopter traffic they had caused a traffic event and re-instructed them to maintain assigned altitudes. Minutes later; we were cleared visual approach. No disruptions to the flight. During debrief on the ground; we discussed the event and agreed we had properly responded to the event. We could have requested a slightly wider vector in order to better avoid the area altogether foreseeing this type of event could have happened (5+ TV helicopters were working the fire area).
EMB-135 Captain reported a traffic conflict with a helicopter near the final approach corridor.