A little known firefighting resource, the Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT), has become one of the most important new tools in aerial firefighting. The SEAT is a small agricultural "crop duster" airplane that has been modified to drop fire retardant on wildfires. These aircraft are designed to fly low and slow which is ideal for dropping retardants. In contrast to the large air tankers that carry 2,000 to 3,000 gallons, the SEATS only carry 500 to 800 gallons of retardant. The SEAT does not replace large air tankers, but it is the ideal tool to use on fires that have just started. Retardant is not designed to extinguish a fire, it is dropped just ahead of the flames to slow or retard the spread. This gives firefighters time to arrive at the fire and actually put the fire out before more expensive resources are dispatched.

A service/support truck that carries both fuel and retardant mixing equipment accompanies each SEAT. The service/support truck can be dispatched to an airport near the fire and serve as a mobile retardant base for the SEAT, supplying both fuel and retardant.

The Aviation Management (AM) currently contracts for 34 "exclusive- use" SEATs, which are based throughout the Western states. In addition to the exclusive-use SEATs, the AM also contracts 55 SEATs on a "call-when-needed" basis. The Bureau of Land Management is the AM's largest customer. In addition, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Forest Service, and the state of Wisconsin also rely on the AM to contract SEATs on their behalf. The SEAT program is growing rapidly. During the 2003 summer fire season, the SEATs flew 3,860 flight hours on fire suppression missions which resulted in total contract payments of $12,201,516.21, a 50% increase from just four years ago.

For more information

Bob Carr

Robert_Carr@oas.gov