Out-of-Control Wildfires in Los Angeles Leave Companies Scrambling to Deploy Air Tankers and Water Bombers
As out-of-control wildfires ravaged thousands of Los Angeles residents, companies that fight fires from the air scrambled to deploy their air tankers and water bombers to the affected areas. The situation was unusual, as it occurred during the supposed off-season for wildfires, which typically run from April to November.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire, has a fleet of over 60 air tankers and rotor-wing aircraft, considered the largest civil fleet of its kind. However, due to high demand for their services, these companies hire private companies with their own fleets of aircraft to help fight fires.
Companies such as 10 Tanker Air Carrier, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, operate converted DC-10 aircraft, known as very large air tankers (VLATs), which can drop 9,500 gallons of fire retardant. According to CEO Joel Kerley, the company had only two aircraft available to help fight the recent blazes.
Air Tankers provide an essential service in fighting fires, as specially trained pilots drop water or fire retardant from the air to assist firefighters on the ground. The heavy, bright-red fire retardant is typically dropped in front of fires, blocking the flames’ path.
Companies like 10 Tanker Air Carrier, Bridger Aerospace, and Aero Air provide these air tankers and water bombers, with the capacity to scoop up water as they fly over a body of water and dump it near the fires. These aircraft are made by companies like De Havilland Aircraft in Canada and are in high demand, with some governments investing in their own fleets.
The recent Los Angeles-area fires, which have consumed over 37,000 acres and destroyed or damaged over 16,000 structures, serve as a reminder that fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season. As the UN Environment Program warns that wildfires will become more prevalent and severe in the 21st century, demand for air tankers and water bombers is expected to continue to rise.