Many countries have used aircraft for wildfire suppression since the mid-20^th Century, and in Australia from the 1960s.  Fire agencies have used both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters (heavy, medium, light) as part of their wildfire suppression strategy.  As wildfires become more common, the use of aircraft has increased, however, it is not known how cost effective they are. 

The Bushfire CRC (Cooperative Research Center [Australia]) suppression project is investigating the effectiveness of  aerial fire bombing for suppression of wildfires.

The project’s objective is to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of aircraft used during firefighting operations.

The project looks at different techniques that are used for aerial suppression.  Three types of suppressants used in fire bombing are water, foam, and retardants.  Water and foam solutions are usually dropped directly onto the burning edge of the fire.  Retardants are usually dropped ahead of the fire, as they coat and protect the fuel from fire.  The effectiveness of a fire bombing drop is related to the

pattern of the drop on the ground and whether this meets the coverage required to extinguish the fire or coat fuel to form an effective firebreak.  The effectiveness of a drop pattern can be influenced by the aircraft’s speed, height above the ground, wind speed and canopy interception.  An effective drop will either extinguish or curtail the fire along the length of the drop.

Jim Gould, from Bushfire CRC, summarized the project in his paper, “Scientific Approach in Assessing Aerial Suppression” which was

presented at the 1^st Bushfire CRC Conference in Perth, Austrailia, October 7-9, 2004.  For more information, Jim may be reached via e-mail at jim.gould@csiro.au.

Aircraft Dropping Fire Retardant on Wildfire.

This electronic newsletter began over three years ago as a result of conversations with fire service leadership who wanted all firefighters to be knowledgeable about research developments that could impact the future of the fire service.   It was my pleasure organizing this effort to bring research results and news of research activities

that could contribute to better fire fighting in an attractive and readable format.  What we have accomplished is due to the enthusiasm of my partners, Nora Jason and Kellie Beall, and the funding provided by NIST.  We have built a registered readership of over 1,700 that continues to grow with each issue.

I thank you all for making this effort a success.  With this issue, the responsibilities of Editor have passed to the very capable Nelson Bryner, Leader of the Fire Fighting Technology Group at NIST.  I wish Nelson and the FIRE.GOV publication team continued success.

                    -- Dave Evans

In turn, all of us here at FIRE.GOV wish Dave success in his new career as the Executive Director of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.  Thanks Dave, we will miss you!

Dave Evans

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Nelson Bryner
Email: editor@fire.gov
Phone: 301-975-6868
Fax: 301-975-4052

Bob McCarthy
Email: Bob.McCarthy@dhs.gov
Phone: 301-447-1130
Fax: 301-447-1093