Two Bombardier 415 Super Scoopers and an Erickson S-64 Air-Crane Helitanker arrived in California Wednesday at Van Nuys Airport from Quebec to bolster Los Angeles County Fire Department’s efforts against wildfires. The county annually leases the aircraft from the Canadian province of Quebec, where the wildfire season customarily ends in August.
The fixed-wing Super Scoopers skim bodies of water at high speed. They can scoop more than 1,600 gallons in 12 seconds, according to the Montreal- based manufacturer’s website, and can also drop foam. The Erickson Air-Crane Helitanker holds 2,650 gallons of water and has an adjustable flow rate, according to its Portland, Ore.-based manufacturer’s web site.
By City News Service
