Wildland fire managers use a variety of aircraft to provide support to wildland firefighters on the ground. Helicopters are used to drop water, transport crews, reconnaissance, infrared, and deliver resources to the fireline. Fixed-wing aircraft are used for firefighter and cargo transport, water or retardant application, fire reconnaissance and detection, tactical support, aerial supervision, search and rescue, animal census counts, surveying, mapping, and law enforcement missions. Fixed-wing aircraft include smokejumper aircraft, air tactical platforms, Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), large airtankers, and large transport aircraft. All these aircraft play a critical role in supporting firefighters on the ground.
