Southern California's wildfires have put the spotlight on aerial firefighting tools with the CL-415 aircraft, known as the 'Super Scooper,' taking center stage. Despite its capabilities, California has not purchased any of these planes, impacting the efficiency of fire response.
Neil Sweeney, CEO of De Havilland, says the Super Scoopers, which can scoop 1,500 gallons of water in seconds, have a global demand due to their efficiency. However, their utility can be limited depending on proximity to water sources.
California's State Fire Marshal, Chief Daniel Berlant, highlighted the versatility of helicopters, stating that they can access water sources more quickly in areas that planes can't reach. This ability makes them essential for seamlessly fighting fires in diverse landscapes.
Michael Gollner from UC Berkeley's Fire Research Lab expressed concerns over environmental impacts of using ocean water, emphasizing that increased salinity and corrosivity can affect soil and plant growth long-term.
Collection
[
|
...
]