BOISE, Idaho — As fires continue to burn in the Gem State, fire crews are gaining an edge by utilizing super scooper planes to combat the fires.
Bridger Aerospace operates six super scooper" planes, with two currently stationed at the Jackson Jet Center near the Boise Airport. The planes were built specifically for fighting fire, and can hold 1,400 gallons of water at a time. The planes are capable of scooping water while traveling 100 miles per hour.
“We dropped nearly a million gallons of water on fires in Idaho,” said Sam Davis, CEO of Bridger Aerospace.
The company is based in Bozeman, MT, but the planes are deployed nationally. In Idaho, fire crews have used the planes to battle the Limepoint and Wolf Creek fires so far.
“It's some of the worst conditions and the longest days, and battling the most intense fires out there,” Davis said.
The planes are considered the most efficient aircraft for fighting fires from the air, and Davis said they are able to support the ground firefighting crews with their air operations.
“We pride ourselves on being the support from the air, both with scoopers and suppressing the fire, so the ground crews can be effective,” Davis said.