Putting out the fires from the air.

[michaelharadon]

What happened to using 747's and DC-10's as tankers? Politics? Airframes not a good match for the job? Something else?

[Ztex]

There are two DC-10's currently on the job. The 747 Tanker was fighting fires in Mexico in April and as of last month it was reported to have been on the Wallow fire in Arizona.
(She went to Israel last year for fire fighting duties)

[michaelharadon]

There are two DC-10's currently on the job. The 747 Tanker was fighting fires in Mexico in April and as of last month it was reported to have been on the Wallow fire in Arizona.
(She went to Israel last year for fire fighting duties)

Thanks, Zane. How come only three heavies? With all the fires there have been for the past several summers, you would think that there would be several more, at least.

[ChrisK48]

The 747 was not on the Wallow Fire in Arizona. DC-10 Tanker 911 was assigned to that fire for five days, although it only made three flights on it. While it was there (flying out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa), it also made two flights to the Track Fire in NE New Mexico.

10 Tanker charges $56,000 per day with a five day minimum, which was why it available for five days. In addition, it's $12,000 per flight hour.

I think the other DC-10 is flying in Canada right now.