Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health & First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

First Airtanker Drop (California) – August 12, 1955

This Day in History is a brief summary of a powerful learning opportunity and is not intended to second guess or be judgmental of decisions and actions. Put yourself in the following situation as if you do not know the outcome. What are the conditions? What are you thinking? What are YOU doing?

Summary:

The first operational airtanker was developed in Willows, by the Willows Flying Service, in 1955, at the request of the Fire Control Officer for the Mendocino National Forest (MNF). A Boeing Stearman 75 "Caydet" Agricultural Aircraft was modified with a 170-gallon tank at the Willows airport. This Aircraft, N75081, became the first registered free fall airtanker in the history of aviation. The first air drop was made on the Mendenhall Fire on August 12, 1955, on the MNF.

In 1956, seven agricultural aircraft were modified and formed the first operational airtanker squadron in the United States. Piloted by local aviators, this squadron operated out of the Willows Airport fighting wildfires throughout California. Initially, plain water was used as the fire suppressant. However, it was soon discovered that most of the water evaporated before reaching the fire. The practice was adopted of adding chemicals to the water to inhibit evaporation. Borate was one of the first chemicals used, hence the derivation of the term borate bomber.

In 1959, heavy airtankers, capable of carrying 2,000 gallons of fire retardant, were providing an effective tool in controlling wildfires. Today, the use of Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs) and Large Airtankers have become a staple for wildland fire suppression.

(Content used with permission from the Early Aviators website.

Discussion Points:

Historical black and white photo of the first airtanker – Mendocino 1955

Airtankers are a valuable asset in the control of wildland fires, but these aircraft can pose serious threats to the safety of air and ground personnel.

A gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds and of retardant approximately 9 pounds. SEATs can drop up to 800 gallons and Type 1 airtankers up to 3,000 gallons.  Ground personnel can be injured by these drops.  

  • Refer to the Aviation section (blue) of the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 for Aerial Retardant Safety and Directing Retardant and Bucket Drops. 
  • Discuss as a group how to avoid retardant and water drops.
  • Discuss what you will do if you cannot avoid drops.
  • It is not enough just to know where the aircraft are. An understanding of aircraft capabilities, effective use, and tactics will help crews keep clear of the drops.


This Lessons Learned is dedicated to the first Airtanker pilots: Vance Nolta, Floyd (Speed) Nolta, Harold Henderson, Dale Nolta, Ray Varney, Frank Prentice, L.H. McCurley, Warren Bullock; Fire Control Officer Joe Ely, and the first Air Attack Lee Sherwood.

A commemorative plaque to the “Birth of the Airtanker Program” can be found at the Willows Airport.

 

Category
This Day in History
References
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
First Airtanker Website

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee