These airplanes – Air Tractor AT-802 models modified to scoop water for wildland firefighting – are flying for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources during the spring fire season. (Photo courtesy of the MDNR)

MARQUETTE — Firefighting just got a lot more efficient for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Two Fire Boss aircraft, each capable of scooping up to 800 gallons of water from a lake in just 15 seconds, have been added to the MDNR firefighting fleet this season.

The planes, leased from late April through early June – historically the worst part of Michigan’s fire season – are housed at the Gaylord Regional Airport. This central location is ideal to respond to wildfire anywhere in the state and especially for the areas hit hard by the ice storm of 2025. The planes were used earlier this week to assist with a fire on federal land near Mio.

“The branches and trees downed from the ice storm can impede us getting into the woods with equipment,” said Kevin Jacobs, DNR aviation manager. “The added debris on the ground will add fuel to the fire, which could cause wildfires to spread faster and burn with more intensity.”

Fire danger is elevated across the state this weekend, so make sure to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit or, in southern Michigan, contact your local municipality to make sure it is safe to burn.

He said the Fire Boss aircraft don’t replace crews on the ground but can offer an important head start once a fire is discovered.

“They can get to a fire scene fast,” Jacobs said. “Having two of these planes working in tandem can make a difference in our ability to contain fires and protect people, property and natural resources.”

The planes are Air Tractor AT-802 models, designed for agricultural use and modified to include floats for landing on water. They need approximately a mile of open water to perform their water-scooping sequence.

The cost of the planes is paid for by a one-time allocation from the Michigan Legislature to mitigate the effects of the March 2025 ice storm.

The DNR’s air power against wildfire also includes an agreement with Michigan State Police to use two police helicopters to carry water with so-called Bambi buckets, 320-gallon urethane buckets that can dip from smaller water sources.

“Utilizing both types of aircraft, we can quickly get to a fire with water scooped from large lakes or small ponds,” Jacobs said.

There is one type of aircraft that doesn’t belong in this equation: privately owned and operated drones. Helicopters and planes need to operate within 100 feet of the ground in order to scoop and drop water, the same altitude range as many drones.

“Drones do not mix with fire suppression aircraft,” Jacobs said. “People need to keep drones away from fire scenes so we can safely fight fires.”

Learn more about fire safety and the DNR’s fire program at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.