supertanker

11.22.09

As Wildfire Threatens L.A., Satellites and Supertankers Hover

By Jeremy Hsu Posted 09.02.2009 at 10:33 am 0 Comments

Smoke Monster: Smokey won't like this. NASA

Los Angelenos have recently watched billowing clouds from a nearby wildfire hover overhead, in scenes reminiscent of "Volcano." NASA's Terra satellite took the opportunity to snap a photo of the smoke monster on the night of August 30. Red outlines in the photo indicate wildfire hotspots.

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READ MORE ABOUT > aircraft, blaze, firefighter, firefighting, fires, LA, los angeles, natural disasters, supertanker, Video, wildfires

Firefighting 747 Supertanker Dumps 20,500 Gallons of Water from 500 Feet Up

Where do you want the pool?

By Rob Cockerham Posted 06.12.2009 at 12:15 pm 15 Comments

While watching news footage of a wildfire raging, maybe you've been struck by frustration at the lack of a high-tech, super-sized firefighting solution. Why, in 2009, don't firefighters have access to a super water-cannon? Where is the quick-hardening smothering shell? How much longer will we wait for a mountain-climbing hydro-Roomba?

The answer may be closer than you think. I was treated to a demonstration of the largest firefighting vehicle in the world, the Evergreen Supertanker.

Check out the photos.

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READ MORE ABOUT > aircraft, firefighting, fires, natural disasters, planes, supertanker, wildfires