![tanker 137 Boeing 737 drop first wildfire bushfire](https://fireaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/T-137_HunterFire_1.jpg)
(This article was first published on Fire Aviation)
On November 22 Air Tanker 137 made the first drop by a Boeing 737 on an active fire. It occurred in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.
Coulson completed the conversion of the 737 a few months ago and it is now working on a contract with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service during their summer. Nicknamed “Gaia”, it arrived at Richmond RAAF Base near Sydney November 11 after a multi-day trip across the equator. It will be primarily based at the RAAF Base along with three other large air tankers from North America — a C-130Q (T-134), and two RJ85s (T-165 and T-166). Two other large air tankers will be based in Victoria at Avalon Airport in Melbourne, a C-130Q (T-131), and an RJ85 (T-163).
The 737 Large Air Tanker ‘Gaia’ has been in action in the Hunter this afternoon – the first time this kind of plane has been used to fight a fire anywhere in the world. It’s provided valuable support to firefighters on the ground. #NSWRFS #nswfires #avgeek pic.twitter.com/qHnbcddFpe
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 22, 2018
Going by the coordinates on the images, the fire T-137 dropped on was very close to the Kurri Kurri Hospital southwest of Heddon Greta. The NSW RFS reported at 8:14 p.m. local time on November 22 that firefighters assisted by aircraft had slowed the spread of the fire. They estimated it had burned 61 hectares (151 acres).
![bushfire Kurri Kurri Hospital NSW](https://fireaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/KurriKurriFire.jpg)
![tanker 137 Boeing 737 drop first wildfire bushfire](https://fireaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/T-137_HunterFire_2.jpg)
Does anyone know how many gallons this 737 can carry?
I heard 4000 gallons..
That is correct. (15,100 liters)
Thank you Bill.
Thank you Steve.