Jumbo airtanker gets approval to fight US wildfires
BOISE, Idaho — Federal officials have given a giant airtanker approval to fight wildfires in the U.S., but a lack of contracts currently limits the aircraft to California and one county in Colorado.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Interagency Airtanker Board issued the 17-month interim approval on Tuesday for the aircraft capable of carrying 19,200 gallons (72,700 litres) of liquid.
Global SuperTanker Services CEO Jim Wheeler said Wednesday the company is close to signing a contract with two states.
“The next step is for us to try to get a contract with the Forest Service,” he said.