The U.S. Forest Service has announced a strategy, developed with input from the Department of the Interior, to replace the fleet of aging air tankers used to battle wildfires with a next generation of newer, faster, more cost-effective large air tankers.

“We need a core fleet of the next generation large air tankers to supplement our boots-on-the-ground firefighters for what we know will be longer and more severe wildfire seasons in years to come,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “Not only will these newer, more effective air tankers help us keep fires contained and communities safe, they will also protect our brave men and women on the fire line.”

Although no large air tanker has been built specifically for firefighting, several aircraft were designed to handle similar stresses.

Recommendations for the next generation of air tankers include capabilities of carrying a minimum of 1,800 gallons of mixed retardant with more than 3,000 gallons preferred and a minimum cruise speed of 345 mph for quick fire response over long distance.

Additionally, the service wants air tankers powered by turbine engines, which are more reliable, more fuel efficient and require less maintenance than older aircraft piston engines; the capability of operating from most federal air tanker bases; and Forest Service contract structural integrity program requirements must be met.

“The effectiveness of air tankers on a wildfire is directly proportional to its speed and load capacity,” Tidwell said. “Large air tankers can be effective in thick forest canopies and areas of dense brush or timber. A larger load capacity also allows large air tankers to split their retardant loads to support different parts of a fire without delay of returning to base.”

The best mix of tools for wildland firefighting includes ground and air resources. However, retardant applied from large air tankers may slow the progress of a wildfire so firefighters on the ground can safely construct a fire line to contain it.

Tidwell noted that as air tankers age, maintenance costs and safety risks rise.

The Forest Service’s current large air tanker fleet is at least 50 years old and more than half of the aircraft face mandatory retirement within the next 10 years, he said.

The fleet has decreased in size from 43 in 2000 to only 11 under contract today, according to Tidwell.

Currently all large air tankers are owned and operated under contract by private companies.

Air tankers provided under contract by private industry will continue to be essential in effective wildland firefighting.

Long term, the agencies will continue to explore the costs and benefits of all types of aircraft and ownership models.

The fleet of aircraft that are used for wildland fire suppression also includes water scoopers, single engine air tankers, very large air tankers and helicopters.

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

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