IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Boeing 737 Aircraft Being Converted to Firefighting

It is about time to add newer aircraft to the fleet.

I think about the tremendous stresses that are placed on aircraft frames when they are used as fire retardant tankers for wildland firefighting. I recall one aircraft having its wings snap off during one wildland suppression mission.

Thus the news that a few newer 737-300 aircraft will enter the market for the 2019 fire season is good news indeed. The linked article points to the significant cargo-carrying capacity of the airplane, since it will still fly with passenger seating remaining in place.

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
Sign up for GovTech Today

Delivered daily to your inbox to stay on top of the latest state & local government technology trends.