Wildfires in California: What You Need to Know About Water Drops

In California, firefighters are fighting the historic fires with specialized aircraft that drop water and fire retardant over Los Angeles.

The state's fleet consists of tactical planes, air tankers, and helicopters, each with unique roles and capabilities, but they all work together as a team to fight the fires that have been burning since Tuesday and have resulted in the loss of 10 lives and the destruction of thousands of acres.

The largest department-owned fleet of aerial firefighting equipment globally is Cal Fire's, consisting of over 60 planes and helicopters. Its fleet operates from 14 airfields and 11 helicopter bases across the state, enabling it to reach most fires within approximately 20 minutes.

Tactical planes frequently guide tanker planes, with the former giving directions and coordinates to ground-based firefighters. According to Reuters, most of Cal Fire's tactical planes are North American Rockwell OV-10 twin-turboprop, multi-mission aircraft that were previously used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force until the 1990s.

The firefighting tankers owned by Cal Fire release fire retardant onto the ground below.

The Grumman S-2T tanker, powered by two turboprop engines, is Cal Fire's primary aircraft and can carry approximately 1,200 gallons of fire retardant. Additionally, Cal Fire utilizes larger C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft, capable of dumping about 3,000 gallons per load.

The fleet of helicopters owned by Cal Fire includes Bell UH-1H Super Hueys and Sikorsky S70i Black Hawks, which are equipped with water-carrying buckets hanging below the aircraft to put out fires.

A retired U.S. Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue aircraft commander, John Mixson, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that bambi buckets can precisely drop water.

Mixson stated that they can reach any lake or reservoir and lower the bucket into the water to deliver their payload with precision. Although it is more accurate than a fixed wing, it can deliver less quantity of either suppressant or water.

"Helicopters can carry varying amounts of water depending on their size, ranging from 70-ish gallons to more than 2,000 gallons. These buckets can be used to put out fires and saturate the ground to prevent fire from spreading."

Two CL-415 Super Scooper turboprop planes have been deployed to fight the deadly fires.

According to Military.com, the Pentagon announced on Friday that two C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with a firefighting system have arrived at the scene.

Six more C-130 airplanes are expected to be ready by Sunday. Due to their previous use for cargo purposes, some of the aircraft required refitting with firefighting systems. The fires have emerged outside the typical firefighting season.

The scooper planes replenish their tanks by descending to tranquil waters and skimming the surface to gather water. They subsequently release the water to extinguish a fire and repeat the procedure until they require refueling.

Although it is uncommon and can harm equipment, infrastructure, and wildlife, Super Scoopers have been collecting saltwater from the Pacific Ocean, as stated by Frank Papalia, a former New York City Fire Department lieutenant and a fire safety expert at Global Security Group, to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Whenever possible, freshwater is preferred over saltwater because salt content can corrode equipment like hoses and pumps.

He told Planet Chronicle Digital that since his city was on fire, using saltwater wasn't so terrible.

Fire hydrants are not corrosion-resistant and therefore cannot use saltwater, while firetrucks can use saltwater but need to be close enough to obtain it and require cleaning after use.

Instead of being dumped directly onto fires, fire retardants are dropped in front of them to direct their course or slow their advance, allowing ground crews to control or extinguish them. Retardants can also be released to protect homes, important sites, and keep access roads open.

The substance used by firefighters to control fires is typically a mixture of water, fertilizer, a thickening agent, and red dye, which makes it visible against the landscape.

Waterbombers are the pilots who operate these aircraft for aerial firefighting.

Many previously served in the military, says Mixon, despite pilots coming from diverse backgrounds.

Firefighting pilots typically receive specialized training for their specific aircraft type and already have extensive flying experience before they begin their duties.

To become a helicopter pilot, as per Hillsboro Aero Academy, an Oregon-based flight school, one must accumulate between 1,500 and 4,000 hours of helicopter flight time as a pilot in command (PIC), responsible for the safety and operation of an aircraft.

Aspiring pilots require flight hours to acquire essential knowledge about aircraft systems, mission training, and fire behavior. To demonstrate their ability to operate firefighting helicopters in challenging conditions, such as mountainous terrain, candidates must possess technical skills to collaborate with ground crews and other aircraft during missions. Additionally, they must have knowledge of how fires spread and how to control them using aircraft.

The hours are similar for prospective fixed-wing aircraft pilots.

The crews are highly specialized and trained for the specific mission, according to Mixson. This is not a secondary mission for the Cal Fire, DOD, or Forest Service firefighting teams. Like the U.S. Coast Guard, they are extremely skilled in their field.

"Although it is extremely dangerous and demanding, they are highly skilled and uniquely trained for the specific task."

The low altitude above hilly terrain in high wind conditions is a clear danger that Mixson is currently facing.

Through the smoke, these crews must avoid other aircraft, terrain, and everyday hazards such as radio towers, as Mixson pointed out.

Earlier this week, safety risks prevented firefighting aircraft from being deployed due to the strong Santa Ana winds.

One of the Canadian Super Scoopers sustained damage when it collided with a drone, resulting in a fist-sized hole in the water and dropping its wing. No injuries were reported, and Cal Fire anticipates the aircraft will be operational again by Monday.

Reuters contributed to this report.