VLAT Usage

California & Hawaii Hotlist Questions and Discussion
#1

Question for my fellow initial attack ICs. Let me preface by saying I’m not looking to talk politics or fiscal responsibly, only tactics.

Anecdotally, I feel like we are calling for VLATs much earlier in the game than we used to. I am wondering the reasons that people have for early VLAT use.

Again, I just want this to be a tactics discussion, not political or fiscal, or private partnership vs govt justification. Just what are guys seeing that is prompting VLAT orders within the very early stages of fires.

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#2

Perhaps the new logic is to spend more for a larger capacity aircraft, knock fires down quicker, and spend less in the long run.

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#3

I think they are being used more because in the right conditions they put down a lot of mud and to get the same coverage level it’s probably cheaper. I would add that as they have become the norm, the experience of the aviation folks has risen so much, they have a really good idea of what conditions and topography they can operate in.

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#4

When the values at risk during the initial phase or the opportunity arises to box the fire in and keep the fire smaller and not commit a greater number of ground resources for a long duration, slowing response times to fires in other areas. Essentially, if there are lives, property or a chance to hold the fire for responding ground resources within the VLAT response time and the expenditure is commensurate or can be justified then use your whole tool box. Thats how I see it.

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#5

You can always cancel it!!!

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#6

It’s a tool in the tool box, same as dozers, crews and engines.
Some tools are cheap, some are more expensive, up to the user to choose what they want to use.

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#7

Heres a post on the subject I made earlier in the week:

VLAT’s are the cheaper option compared to smaller tankers.

They can lay down more retardant per flight hour and can also reduce total incident cost by shortening duration resulting in additional savings in ground resource cost.

Here is an older but public comparison on costs.
Microsoft Word - COMPARATIVE COSTS_Colockum Tarp, w-o name.docx (wildfiretoday.com)

from here:
CA-INF-Pizona?? - California & Hawaii Hotlist / Questions and Discussion - Wildfire Intel

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