When fighting wildfires, we need every advantage possible to help us save lives and protect property. Aircraft remains an essential tool that can quickly douse flames or create firebreaks to slow the spread of fire, often before ground crews can reach the scene.
The list of wildland firefighting aircraft successes is long and impressive. During last month’s Rancho Fire in Laguna Beach, the force multiplier of a robust air attack saved an entire community.
Similar results were recently seen in San Bernardino and Riverside counties when two fires that threatened homes were quickly extinguished using air support…