Aerial firefighting

Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary-wing, to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include aeroplanes outfitted with tanks (known as air tankers) and helicopters fitted with buckets.

History

The concept of aerial firefighting was first proposed by a United States Forest Service employee in 1930. However, it was not until the 1950s that the first air tanker was used in a firefighting operation. The use of military aircraft for firefighting is a more recent development, with the first military air tanker deployed in 2002.

Techniques

Aerial firefighting techniques include water bombing, where large volumes of water are dropped on the fire, and the use of fire retardants, which are designed to slow the spread of the fire. Other techniques include the use of smokejumpers, who parachute into remote areas to combat wildfires at their source.

Equipment

The equipment used in aerial firefighting includes a variety of aircraft, from small light aircraft to large airliners. The most common types of aircraft used are air tankers, which are large aeroplanes fitted with tanks that can carry large volumes of water or fire retardant. Helicopters are also commonly used, particularly for their ability to access hard-to-reach areas.

Challenges

Aerial firefighting is not without its challenges. These include the risk of aircraft accidents, the high cost of operating aircraft, and the environmental impact of dropping large volumes of water or fire retardant. Despite these challenges, aerial firefighting remains a vital tool in the fight against wildfires.

See also

• Firefighting
• Wildfire
• Smokejumper
• Fire retardant