| US Forest Service shores up air tanker fleet
The U. The other two air tankers are Cal Fire S-2Ts, that will be staffed and available in California through an agreement delivered by the state and funded by the U. "The pilots of Tanker 11 lost their lives protecting public safety and natural resources," said Tom Harbour, Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the U. Forest Service currently has nine operational large air tankers on exclusive-use contracts. "The loss of the two aerial firefighters has reverberated through the fire service community and our thoughts are certainly with their families and coworkers as they grieve," said Chief Ken Pimlott, Director of Cal Fire. Two are CV-580s, one of which is available through an agreement with the condition of Alaska and one of which is available through an agreement with the Canadian Interagency Fire Centre. These will be available for wildfire suppression nationwide. The U. If needed, the U. "As the entire fire and aviation community grieves their loss, we must ensure that we maintain our capability to fulfill our responsibilities to be prepared to respond vigorously to wildfires threatening people, communities, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. Forest Service has arranged for a total of four additional tankers to become available immediately for wildfire suppression. Forest Service believes that the additions of the air tankers and heavy helicopters will enable the agency to respond effectively to current and predicted fire activity. Forest Service is also arranging for five heavy helicopters to become available for wildfire suppression nationwide earlier than scheduled. Forest Service can also mobilize eight military C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) to serve as large air tankers along with a DC-10 air tanker. |
Friday, 8 June 2012
US Forest Service shores up air tanker fleet
