Celebrating Aviation in Wildland Firefighting
November is National Aviation History Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the remarkable evolution of aviation and its impact across countless industries. One of the areas where aviation has become particularly essential is in wildland fire management. Integrating aircraft into fire management strategies has dramatically enhanced our ability to monitor, control, and combat wildfires with greater efficiency and precision.
From aerial surveillance to water-dropping helicopters and air tankers, aviation has become an indispensable component in the fight against wildfires, protecting both lives and natural resources.
5 Reasons Aviation is Important in Fire Management Tactics
Aviation is vital to wildland firefighting for several reasons:
1. Rapid Response: Helicopters can quickly transport firefighters and equipment to the front lines of a wildfire, allowing for a faster response to emerging fire threats. These firefighters are called Helitack crews. This rapid deployment capability is essential for containing fires before they grow out of control.
2. Access to Remote Areas: Many wildfires occur in rugged, inaccessible terrain where ground crews cannot easily reach. Aircraft can fly over these areas, providing aerial suppression and valuable surveillance data.
3. Precision in Fire Suppression: Modern firefighting aircraft are equipped with advanced technology for precise water drops or fire retardants. This accuracy is essential for protecting structures, natural resources, and critical infrastructure from encroaching flames.
4. Coordination with Ground Crews: Aerial resources work in tandem with ground crews, providing support that enhances the overall effectiveness of fire suppression efforts. Aircraft can lay down fire retardant lines to slow the fire’s spread, giving ground crews the time they need to establish control lines.
5. Enhanced Safety for Firefighters: By attacking the fire from the air, aviation assets can reduce the intensity of the flames, making it safer for the boots on the ground working on the fireline. Additionally, reconnaissance planes and drones provide real-time information on fire behavior, location, and size, helping crews avoid dangerous situations.
The Evolution of Aviation in Wildland Firefighting
Using aircraft in wildland firefighting began as an experimental concept in the early 20th century. Initially, planes were used to spot and report fires in remote areas where access by ground crews was difficult. As aviation technology advanced, the capabilities of aircraft in firefighting expanded significantly.
1953: One of the first instances of using aircraft for firefighting occurred during a flight test of a prototype DC-7 at the Palm Springs Airport. The plane was equipped with a tank filled with water to simulate a load. Following the testing, it made a low pass and dumped the water through valves in the belly of the aircraft, creating a mile-long swath of water. This demonstration introduced the concept of aerial firefighting.
1955: The first air tanker to drop water on an actual wildfire was developed by the Willows Flying Service. They converted seven agricultural aircraft to form the first aerial firefighting squadron to combat fires throughout California. The team cut the belly of the planes and added a flapper hatch that opened when the pilot pulled a rope.
Initially, they used only water for fire suppression. However, they noticed that much of the water evaporated before reaching the fire. To address this issue, they introduced a chemical called borate into the water to reduce evaporation. During each run in August of that year, they dropped nearly 170 gallons of this mixture.
Mid-1950s: Specialized air tanker planes were developed to drop water and fire retardant on wildfires, marking a significant advancement in aerial firefighting. In the aftermath of World War II, surplus military aircraft were repurposed for this purpose, leading to the modern practice of aerial firefighting.
1958: Among the first aircraft adapted for this task was the iconic Grumman TBM Avenger, which had originally served as a powerful torpedo bomber. It became one of the first planes to fight raging wildfires by dropping fire retardant during a fire in Lake Elsinore, California.
The TBM could carry several gallons of retardant, allowing for large drops that often broke tree trunks upon impact. However, it was not designed for low-level drops in mountainous terrain, which sometimes resulted in the aircraft returning to base with tree branches attached to its wings.
As the years progressed, technological advancements led to the development of specialized firefighting aircraft. Helicopters were introduced for their:
• Versatility
• Allowing for pinpoint water drops
• Rapid crew deployment
• Transporting essential supplies to remote locations
Fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Douglas DC-6 and the Lockheed P-3 Orion, were modified to carry large volumes of fire retardant, providing the ability to deploy aerial resources rapidly has become a critical factor in containing wildfires before they can spread out of control.
Examples of Aviation Types Used in Wildland Firefighting
A variety of aircraft are employed in wildland firefighting, each serving a specific purpose based on the unique demands of the situation:
1. Air Tankers: These are fixed-wing aircraft designed to carry and drop large quantities of water or fire retardant. Examples include the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Boeing 747 Supertanker. These aircraft can deliver massive amounts of suppressant over wide areas.
2. Helicopters: Helicopters such as the Bell 212, Sikorsky S-70, and the Erickson Air-Crane are used for water bucket operations, crew transport, and reconnaissance. Their versatility and ability to hover make them ideal for targeted drops and operations in challenging terrain.
3. Smokejumper Aircraft: Specialized planes, like the Dornier 228, are used to deploy smokejumpers, who are highly trained firefighters that parachute into remote areas to combat wildfires. These aircraft are essential for quick, strategic deployment in hard-to-reach locations.
4. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): Drones are increasingly being used for aerial reconnaissance, mapping, and monitoring of fire behavior, particularly in hazardous conditions where manned aircraft may be at risk. They provide a safe and efficient way to gather real-time data.
The Future and Challenges Ahead
While aviation has significantly enhanced our ability to manage and suppress wildfires, the industry continues to evolve. The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires demand more advanced and adaptable aircraft.
Innovations in drone technology, for example, are set to play a larger role in future firefighting operations, offering greater precision and reducing risks for human pilots.
However, aerial firefighting has its challenges. Operating in unpredictable weather conditions, navigating through smoke and turbulence, and coordinating with ground crews all require exceptional skill and experience. In addition, maintaining and upgrading firefighting aircraft is costly, requiring ongoing investment and support from governments and organizations.
Integrating aircraft into fire management strategies has transformed our approach to combating wildfires, allowing us to protect lives, property, and natural resources more effectively. We owe a great deal of respect and gratitude to the brave pilots who operate these aircraft, often under challenging and dangerous conditions.
As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat in many parts of the world, the importance of aviation in firefighting cannot be overstated. Through ongoing innovation and commitment, the partnership between aviation and wildland firefighting will remain essential in our efforts to manage and reduce the impact of wildfires on our communities and the environment.
About True North Gear
True North has invested over 30 years into researching, designing, and manufacturing innovative gear and clothing for first responders and industrial safety workers. We provide the pinnacle in performance through a design philosophy that embraces durability, comfort, and protection as inclusive elements. Designing and delivering dependable products is essential to our overarching mission to support and protect customers operating in life-risking environments every day. As part of these efforts, we focus on actions that improve and support the great outdoors. Through our partnership with 1% for the Planet, and as a Climate Neutral certified organization, we’re putting our resources and attention on helping the environment that our customers live and work in because a safer landscape means fewer lives on the line, along with healthier land, environment, and air.
