The “BLM-National Interagency Fire Center” posted this photo on their Facebook page today, with the caption:
T-911, a DC-10 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT), staged at NIFC after its assignment on the Church Camp Fire in Utah.
DC-10 air tanker stages at Boise
Mike, Great Question! You wouls have to ask the USFS. I believe several requests were made to have them assist on several fires but I cannot confirm from where or from who those requests came and why they were not sent to help? Tonight however, they were requested back in AZ and left Boise with a full load of retardent to drop on a fire on the way back to Mesa Gateway. Still TBC where they dropped.
this is probably a newbie question, but why aren’t the DC-10s being used in the Colorado wildfires? seems like they need all the help they can get!
I cant confirm it, but the Billigs Gazette reported that tthe DC 10 was being dispatched to Billings to work the Dahl Fire and expected to arrive yesterday evening.
Trish told us that the DC-10, Tanker 911, flew from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport late Monday afternoon to the Church Camp Fire in Utah with a full load of retardant, 11,600 gallons, dropped, then was directed to fly to Boise instead of back to Phoenix. They were not called upon to assist with any fires Tuesday so the crew, the pilots, flight engineer, and maintenance manager, all washed the plane top to bottom. Late in the afternoon on Wednesday they dropped a load of retardant on the Dahl fire in Montana.
I think they returned to Boise Wednesday night, but I’m not sure.
Correct Bill.
Staged in Boise for three days and only flown one mission… Out of sight, out of mind?
I’m wondering where the BAE146 is staged at. And where do you find that info? I’m a hotshot and I was really hoping to see that ship on a fire.
It’s less about length and more about weight rating. Those big birds will sink through many surfaces, they need high strength concrete.
Bill;
First of all thank you for the very informative web-site.
I was curious what the runway requirements for the DC-10 tanker. I was wondering what tanker bases that are currently established could be used for the VALT’s.
Scott…….