Greece, Italy, Algeria, France… the same fire scenes are repeated. On the ground, firefighters struggle to contain or extinguish the fires, fueled by dry vegetation and scorching temperatures.
They are helped in the air by water drops carried out in particular by Canadair. Essential but highly dangerous support, as recalled by the crash of a Greek Canadair on the island of Evia on Tuesday, resulting in the death of its 2 pilots.
With its red and yellow paint, the Canadair has been the symbol of firefighting for several years. This seaplane was specially designed for firefighting. It can accommodate nearly 6,000 liters of water in its holds. Its amphibious capability allows it to refuel in a lake, sea or ocean, all in just 12 seconds. An essential gain in speed to perform several rotations.
???? From sunrise, 2
Problem, the plane was no longer produced by its manufacturer, the Canadian De Havilland, for ten years, before six European countries, including France, made a group order for 22 aircraft in 2022. In the meantime, the European fleet is getting old while maintenance operations are more and more numerous. For 2023, the Ministry of the Interior indicates that 12 Canadair will be deployed.
A civilian transport aircraft converted into a water bomber, the Dash drops 10,000 liters of water or red-colored retardant. These 9 multirole water bomber and transport aircraft (MRBET) of Civil Security can also take passengers and participate in medical evacuations.
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With its speed, it connects Nîmes and Bordeaux in one hour. Unlike the Canadairs, the Dashes are newer, with six of them delivered between 2019 and 2023.
Unknown to the general public, this small single-engine plane, which can take off for only 600 meters, made its debut in France last year against fires in Brittany. Originally intended for agricultural spreading, the Air Tractor is now used to put out incipient fires with its 3,000 liters of water, and its range of 1,300 km.
Marcus is one of the two Swedish civil security crews ???? who came to help French firefighters ???? to fight fires in Brittany ?? He presents his water bomber, the Air Tractor
Two versions of the plane exist with two reloading methods: a classic (5 minutes to refill its water tank) and an amphibious (30 seconds above a body of water). France leased 4 Air Tractor.
Unlike other aircraft, the 3 French Beechcraft are not water bombers. The small twin-engine, fast with its 500 km/h speed, performs liaison and reconnaissance missions, and can also transport personnel.
The helicopter fleet is made up of 10 water bombers leased by Civil Security, and 37 Dragon helicopters for rescue operations. The water bomber helicopter performs more precise drops than airplanes, and can refuel in small water points, such as swimming pools. The most used technique is to place a bucket with a capacity of several thousand liters of water, attached to cables under the device. Nine other helicopters from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Services (SDIS) complete the system.
This is a new tool that can guide firefighters on the ground or identify fire outbreaks. Easily transportable, it is less expensive to implement than airplanes. Some military and SDIS units use drones.
