IMPORTANT For Boaters from USFS

NOTICE

THIS BODY OF WATER (Buffalo Bill Reservoir) IS CURRENTLY BEING UTILIZED FOR AERIAL WATER SCOOPING FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS UNDER OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE.PLEASE BE OBSERVANT TO THE SKY ABOVE, AND IF YOU SEE AN AIRCRAFT ABOVE WE ASK YOU MOVE YOUR VESSEL NEAR THE SHORE.  SCOOPING OPERATIONS WILL TAKE APPROXIMATLEY 20 SECONDS FROM TOUCH DOWN TO TAKE OFF.WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION DURING THIS FIREFIGHTING EFFORT.

Information about the CL-415 Sooper Scoopers:

Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft Talking Points Bombardier CL-415 water scooper: 1,620 gallons of waterWater scooper tactics play an important role in wildfire suppression by dropping water directly on burning fuel, often with short turnaround times due to the proximity to water sources.Water scoopers and airtankers play different roles in wildfire suppression.  Water scoopers engage in direct attack, dropping water directly on burning fuel to suppress fire or cool hot spots, while airtankers generally engage in indirect attack, dropping retardant on the flanks of wildfires to reduce intensity and rate of spread.  Both tactics must be supported by firefighters on the ground.Water scoopers obtain water from pre-screened bodies of water located near wildfires. Permission to use the water body must be obtained and safety issues coordinated prior to using a particular body of water.Stringent protocols and procedures are followed to prevent the spread of non-native invasive aquatic species and other environmental impacts.The CL-415 can work at elevations up to 8000 feet.  The CL-415 is turbine powered, has a normal cruise speed of 180 knots, and can operate up to four hours without refueling.   In an average mission of six nautical miles distance from water to fire, it can complete nine drops within an hour and deliver 14,589 gallons of water.The aircraft will be moved to different locations based on current and predicted wildfire activity, similar to many types of aerial firefighting assets.  Water scoopers can operate out of any airport with a hard surface runway, with a length of at least 5,000 feet, with a taxiway and ramp cable of supporting 36,000 pounds and appropriate fuel.Can the CL-415 be loaded with fire retardant or foam?No. Contractually, no retardant or foam is allowed to be used.How will the CL-415 typically be used in wildfire suppression?Although water scoopers are fixed wing aircraft, they are used in much the same way as heavy or medium helicopters.  Typically, they will drop water on the active flanks and head of a fire, knock down slopovers and spot fires, and cool down hot spots and fireline.Water scoopers are best suited as an initial attack tool.  These aircraft are most effective when they are dispatched to reach the fire at the earliest stages of burning.  Water scoopers are capable of placing a large volume of water and are best suited for direct attack.  Like other air assets, water scoopers are most effective when worked closely with ground assets.Can water scoopers and airtankers be used on the same fire?Yes, water scoopers can support airtankers by sequencing them in between retardant drops to cool the fire in advance of the retardant or to assist in holding the fire as it approaches the retardant.How many pilots are required to fly the CL-415?Two.What kinds of drops can the CL-415 make?A salvo load is about 280 feet long and 65 feet wide.  Four salvo drops can be made per flight mission.  A single trail drop is about 400 feet long and 40 feet wide.Do water scoopers require lead planes?No. Why are the two CL-415s dispatched as a pair?The two CL-415s are mobilized as a group of two aircraft, because the repeated water drops have a significantly greater effect on suppressing the fire than a single aircraft would have.  However, they may be split up and used tactically as individual assets. From what height do water scoopers drop?Water scoopers drop water on wildfires from a height of about 100 to 150 feet above the ground.What lakes and rivers can water scoopers obtain water from?U.S. Forest Service Regional Offices and/or National Forest staff will determine appropriate bodies of water for water scoopers to use prior to ordering the aircraft and will obtain approval for water scoopers to use bodies of water from the owners before water scooper operations begin.  Pilots will approve water sources prior to scooping.What are the criteria for water sources?The water source should be approximately one mile long, free of obstructions, with a depth of at least six feet.  Factors such as wind, elevation, and surrounding terrain will have a bearing on the suitability of the water source.  Less than a full load can be scooped on slightly smaller lakes.How long does it take to fill a water scooper?It takes about 12 seconds to fill the CL-415.Can water scoopers scoop water from water bodies that are known to contain aquatic invasive species?Yes, invasive species requirements will be followed based on applicable State or other requirements.