New aircraft change GFC’s approach to fighting fires
By Uyen Le Schneider
T
he Georgia Forestry Commission is changing
the way they fight wildfires. The commission
added and started utilizing two state-of-
the-art firefighting aircraft in December,
which officials call a game changer when it comes to
protecting the lives and land of Georgia citizens.
The aircraft joining GFC’s fleet are two Thrush 510G
Single Engine Air Tankers, or SEATS. The addition
of these aircraft show the agency’s commitment to
adopting the latest firefighting techniques.
“This is a big benefit to us, and it’s a win for the
state,” said Clay Chatham, GFC’s chief pilot and air
operations manager.
GFC is responsible for all wildfire suppression in
the state of Georgia. The state averages over 8,000
wildfires a year with the average size being four to five
acres per fire. Chatham and his team fly 365 days a
year, patrolling the entire state for wildfires.
The bulk of their air operations is used on patrol missions
doing command and control, where the team surveys
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the state for fire activity. If they detect one, they circle
above it to help the firefighters on the ground. The
primary purpose is to be their eyes in the sky and give
them a safety zone, somebody to look out for them by
telling them when the fire is getting more dangerous,
according to Chatham.
For those GFC rangers fighting fires on the ground,
the pilots flying above are a huge help.
“A couple years ago, we had a wildfire in the
mountains. There was no way we could cover all that
ground with the terrain,” said Leland Bass, Chief Ranger
of GFC Oglethorpe Unit. “If it gets really busy, it’s good
to have those planes overhead. The pilots can radio in,
take control of that situation and help people get out.”
Along with providing safety, the new aircraft provide
more firefighting capabilities. The two new SEAT aircraft
have the ability to drop up to 500 gallons of water or
retardant in less than two seconds. The maker of the
aircraft, Georgia-based Thrush Aircraft, said what’s
most advanced and different with these airplanes
Georgia Forestry Commission demonstrated the maneuverability of one of their
two newly-acquired Thrush 510G aircraft during an unveiling ceremony in
December 2017. Photo courtesy of Thrush Aircraft, Inc.
are the fire gates -- the mechanism that controls the
retardant or water released from the airplane.
Before acquiring the new aircraft, the air operations
fleet only had the use of helicopters to fight fires, which
at their fullest capacity had the potential of dropping
up to 200 gallons of water. The increased capability
of the aircraft boosts GFC’s ability to fight and contain
fires.
“We bought two so that we can really attack
aggressively whenever we have a fire, with one
reloading while the other is dropping. We also can
respond to more than one place at a time,” said
Chatham. “If you look out across the country, this is
not a new idea. If you look at the California fires for
example, it’s very common practice, it’s the way it’s
done.”
Chatham says more and more agencies are
utilizing duel aircraft to fight fires. Having two aircraft
means GFC has one fully loaded to immediately
attack a fire if they come upon one while patrolling.
Not only will the airplanes change how effective their
initial attack is, but they’re also doing so while using a
homegrown product.
“That’s what the cool story is. It’s a Georgia product
with a Georgia agency protecting Georgia land,”
said Eric Rojek, Thrush Aircraft, vice president of
sales. Based in Albany since 1935, the company
manufactures the entire aircraft in-house starting with
the raw materials. The company also provided hands-
on training to GFC pilots and mechanics.
Now that the new aircraft are in the commission’s
fleet, their hope is to position the new planes based on
the fire danger. This allows GFC to have an aircraft at
a fire within an hour if they’re on alert status, according
to Chatham.
GFC’s acquisition of these two specialized aircraft
will greatly augment the commission’s firefighting
capabilities. Equipped with this new firefighting power,
Georgia’s natural resources and citizens will be better
protected from wildfires.
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