The small plane is one of up to three the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control will make available for the season.
Pilot Parker Lucas says the planes are useful because they can get within 10 miles of a fire and drop up to 800 gallons of fire retardant or suppressant. They can also relocate more quickly compared to larger air tankers.
“We’re smaller, we don’t carry as much as a heavy tanker. But we can work in pairs and tag and extend lines,” he said.
“That’s not to say that we can’t have fires along the Front Range. That’s just what the models are saying.”
The single engine aircrafts won’t remain stationed in any particular place and will be moved throughout the state during the wildfire season. Colorado has more than a dozen airports that can serve as bases for the state-commissioned planes this summer.
Story, Video, Photos: http://www.kunc.org
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