Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - Wildfire Management Branch

Fire-Fighting Aircraft FAQ

What types of aircraft are used in wildfire suppression?

The answer is found on the following pages:

What is the material dropped by aircraft at a fire?

The answer is found on the following page:

What is the difference between an air tanker and a water bomber?

Air tankers are land-based aircraft which leave the base with a load of fire retardant and must return to the base for additional loads. Water bombers are amphibious aircraft that skim over large water bodies and scoop up water which is then dropped on the fire. The B.C. Forest Service uses air tankers almost exclusively.

All air tankers have basically the same function on a fire, however, some will have more carrying capacity than others.