Photo Credit: Nature's Charm / Shutterstock.com
Los Angeles County officials have welcomed the seasonal deployment of two specialized CL-415 SuperScooper aircraft to assist regional emergency crews in battling wildfires. On loan from the government of Québec through an ongoing 33-year lease partnership, the specialized fixed-wing water bombers arrived at Van Nuys Airport for a 4-month deployment.
Joining the local fleet alongside a contracted Boeing Chinook CH-47 Helitanker 55, these amphibious airplanes provide critical aerial support during a time when dry conditions historically heighten regional wildfire dangers.
Capable of scooping massive quantities of water from regional lakes and reservoirs in roughly twelve seconds, the twin-engine air tankers allow firefighters to deliver rapid drops on advancing blazes. Emergency personnel emphasize that these specialized aircraft significantly augment existing helicopter fleets by dramatically shortening refill turnarounds between target runs. Coinciding with the arrival, county fire officials urge local communities to maintain defensible property barriers and refine emergency exit plans as part of annual fire readiness efforts.
Independent studies point out that business aircraft fly up to 15,000 hours per year for humanitarian missions. For some companies these flights account for as much as a quarter of their operations.
