High-Speed Firefighting: 16,000 Gallons Dropped by Super Scoopers at 350 km/h

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.

Most Popular

More from Walops

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

The Best Tool for Downloading Videos: X-VideoDownloader

With the increasing popularity of online videos, many users look for convenient ways to save their favorite content for offline viewing. Whether it’s a tutorial, a music video, or an educational lecture, having a reliable tool to download videos can be incredibly useful. One of the best...

Washington DC Plane Crash: Official Fear No Survivors

Everyone aboard a plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, had a mid-air collision with a U.S Army helicopter Jan. 29, and eventually crashed into Washington D.C’s Potomac River was feared dead. This is likely to be the worst U.S aviation disaster in...

Second Swap Under Gaza Agreement: Hamas Frees Israeli Hostages

On Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released four Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners, as part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month conflict in Gaza. The four hostages were brought onto a platform in Gaza City, where they were greeted...

Smart Lead Generation Strategies for Financial Advisors: Winning Clients in 2025

The Importance of Lead Generation & QualificationAs a financial advisor, you help individuals and businesses grow wealth while securing their financial future. However, without a steady flow of qualified leads, even the best financial expertise remains untapped. Lead generation and qualification are essential to a successful advisory...

The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Perfect Travel Dress

Traveling is an exciting adventure, but packing the right wardrobe can be a challenge. When it comes to choosing the perfect dress for travel, versatility, comfort, and style are key. Whether you're exploring a bustling city, lounging on a beach, or dining at a fancy restaurant, the...

Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Clinic in Turkey

Turkey has emerged as a global leader in hair transplants, with Istanbul standing out as the premier destination for hair restoration. This dynamic country is home to top-tier clinics that combine expert surgical teams, advanced technology, and exceptional patient care to deliver outstanding results. In 2022 alone,...

Tesla’s China-Made EV Sales Decline by 4.3% in November

Data from the China Passenger Car Association revealed on Tuesday that U.S. automaker Tesla saw a 4.3% year-on-year decline in sales of its China-made electric vehicles, totaling 78,856 units in November. However, deliveries of its locally produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles rose by 15.5% compared...

South Korean Regulators Charge Meta $15 Million for Collecting User Information

South Korea's data protection agency has fined Meta Platforms, Facebook's parent company, approximately $15 million for collecting sensitive user data and sharing it with advertisers without proper legal grounds. The Personal Information Protection Commission reported that Meta gathered information on around 980,000 South Korean Facebook users, including...

UK to Enforce Disposable Vape Ban in 2025 Amid Efforts to Curb Teen Vaping

From next summer, it will be illegal to sell disposable vapes in England as the government seeks to tackle environmental harm and rising usage levels among children. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it had laid legislation to ban the sale of the...

A Brazilian Legal Battle: Musk’s $3 Million Fine

Elon Musk, the tech mogul behind Tesla, SpaceX, and now X (formerly Twitter), has been embroiled in a legal dispute in Brazil. A Brazilian judge has ordered the seizure of $3 million from Musk's assets to cover fines imposed on X for allegedly failing to comply with...

Starlink Takes Flight: High-Speed Internet Now on Over 1,000 Aircraft

In a significant milestone for aviation and connectivity, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Starlink, the company's satellite internet service, is now operational on over 1,000 aircraft. This achievement marks a substantial leap forward in providing passengers with seamless, high-speed internet access during their flights.Starlink has rapidly...

Finding Your Next Binge: Fire TV Gets AI-Powered Search for Personalized Recommendations

Feeling lost in the vast ocean of streaming content? Amazon Fire TV is introducing a new AI-powered search feature, a convenient solution to your dilemma. This innovative upgrade, powered by Amazon's large language model (LLM), is designed to ease the burden of choice by providing personalized content...