As wildfires wreak havoc across Southern California, destroying homes and taking lives, Canadian-made amphibious aircraft known as Super Scoopers have become critical in the battle against the flames. However, one of these firefighting planes was grounded following a collision with a drone, and it could take weeks to return to service.
The CL-415, commonly called the Super Scooper, is a specialized turboprop aircraft designed to combat forest fires. It collects water from nearby lakes or reservoirs and releases it over burning areas, helping to extinguish flames and keeping firefighters at a safe distance from dangerously intense heat. Each flight can include up to a dozen water drops, delivering as much as 1,400 gallons per cycle to help suppress the blaze.
This is the first time Super Scoopers have been deployed to fight a major blaze, and the pilots have encountered the classic Southern California fire conditions: high winds hurling flames over forbidding mountain slopes. The 35—to 50 mph winds also affected the planes’ dropping capabilities, which is why they aren’t making as many drops as usual. However, the pilots are pleased with how well they worked to face these challenges.
“It’s incredible how efficient these planes are at the job,” one of the pilots told a local news outlet, per NBC Los Angeles. The aircraft have been working nonstop to battle the fires, which have burned over 13,000 structures, including more than 10,000 homes, so far.
As wildfires spread, the Super Scoopers symbolize hope for beleaguered residents. However, the air attack will only get more intense, and these fantastic aircraft will need all the help they can get.
To see these planes in action, click on the video below. AVweb Editor-In-Chief Russ Niles flew aboard one of the Super Scoopers this week in Colorado and captured some incredible footage of them at work. The Super Scoopers were flying despite a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) to prevent any manned or uncrewed aircraft from interfering with firefighting efforts, so the footage is even more impressive.
Super Scoopers are easy to spot, painted bright orange and red, like a fire engine. They also have fantastic winglets. The Super Scoopers are part of Bridger Aerospace’s fleet, including two “Super Tug” air tankers that can carry loads of explosives and be loaded and unloaded in less than a minute. They are designed to be a firefighter’s best friend and are built to withstand the rigors of an active firefighting mission. Bridger says 90% of wildfires occur within 20 miles of a primary water source that the Super Scoopers can use. The company has two planes based at an airport in Colorado, where they can access nearby reservoirs, such as Horsetooth and Carter Lake, to help fight fires.
