Canada’s Flying Fire Boats
FEATURES
Photo by Mark McEuen
World War II flying boats, converted to meet the needs of British Columbia’s forested areas, reduce the dangers to ground forces.
The airplane flies low over the fire and opens its doors, releasing 6,000 imperial gallons of water (7,200 U.S. gallons) to hit approximately three acres of burning forest. Sound phenomenal? It is.
World War II vintage Martin Mars flying boats have been refitted as water bombers. They are owned and operated by a consortium of Canadian lumber companies that joined together to combat their most difficult problem—forest fires.
The Mars, the world’s largest water bombers, are able to reach remote areas quickly. While most aerial firefighting equipment attempts to contain a fire, the volume of retardant-laden water the Mars carries makes it capable of extinguishing the fire. The planes are equipped with enough Gel-Ard (a fire retardant chemical that can be added to fresh water) to make 30 runs.
In 1959, the U.S. Navy sold its four remaining Mars for scrap. In Navy service they were used as transports, carrying heavy loads for long distances. This made them eminently suited for the new role that the Canadian lumbermen had in mind. Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT) was formed the same year by five Canadian lumber companies, giving the planes a new lease on life.
The first conversion was completed in mid-1960, and the Marianas Mars began service in British Columbia. It was an immediate success.
In British Columbia much of the timber is located in wilderness areas, far from airstrips large enough to accommodate heavy land-based tanker aircraft. The forests are, however, dotted with large lakes and bays, making a perfect setting for the powerful Mars flying boats.
During fire season, the Mars are kept in a state of readiness (generally May to November). During periods of very high risk, pre-flight checks are done each morning to save valuable time should a call come in for a Mars. Even with this done, it takes 15-30 minutes for the big tanker to get into the air.
When a fire call comes in, a Grumman Goose amphibian aircraft sets out immediately to survey the scene of the fire. If there are ground crews in the area, it establishes contact with them. The Goose is always flown by a Mars qualified pilot, as it is extremely important for this spotter to know the capabilities of the large, heavy plane.
As the Mars reaches the fire, the amphibian provides a situation report and leads the Mars to the first drop site. After the first release, the Goose leads the tanker to the closest body of water large enough to allow the Mars to refill its tank.
Photo by Mark McEuen
To make a drop, the Mars pilots try to get down to 100 feet and no more than 250 feet over the fire. When the water is released, it comes down in the form of a large cloud of gelled drops to drench an area approximately 600 feet long X 200 feet wide. The lowest possible altitude is best for quelling the blaze because the water stays together providing better impact of the droplets. The timing for each release is determined by the pilot with only a visual check of the target.
For reloading, the pilot makes a normal touchdown, but the engineer maintains enough power to skim over the water at 60-70 knots. Two probes are extended downward just below the surface of the water. It takes just 30 seconds for the Mars to take on its 6,000-gallon capacity. The co-pilot times the scoop and retracts the probes at the end of the 30 seconds. The engineer brings the speed back up to 82 knots, and the Mars is in the air again. Fully loaded, it speeds back to the fire at 130 knots.
Depending on the proximity of the water supply to the fire, the time between drops is 8-30 minutes, generally around 15 minutes. According to Chief Pilot Jack Waddington, he was able to make 33 drops during one sortie when the water source was very close to the fire.
The planes can fly from dawn to dusk. Each Mars carries enough fuel to stay in the air for four to five hours. They must return to their home base to refuel. If maintenance is necessary during a fire, the mechanics work through the night so that the tankers can be back fighting the fire at dawn.
Each Mars pilot flies with extraordinary skill in adverse conditions. He comes to FIFT with a minimum of 5,000 hours of seaplane time. After approximately three years of training, the pilot can become captain of a Mars tanker.
As with any firefighting effort, there is danger. Unfortunately, the original tanker, the Marianas Mars, crashed in 1961 while fighting a fire. The plane and its crew of four were lost.
A second Mars was lost under less adverse conditions. It was damaged beyond repair when a hurricane hit the Sidney, B.C., Airport where it was awaiting conversion. The two remaining Mars were refitted in 1962 and 1964. These two aging giants have been fighting fires ever since.
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The cost of operating the Mars aircraft is high, but the member companies of FIFT never complain because the cost of fighting forest fires without them would be greater. It has been estimated that a fire requiring a 100-man ground crew might take at least five extra days to extinguish without the Mars, putting the ground crew firefighters in greater danger and losing additional acres of timber.
Because of their unique capabilities, the Mars tankers can fight fires in areas that would be impossible for ground crews to reach. When fire risks are low, FIFT sometimes takes ground crew fire bosses up in the Mars to acquaint them with the capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. This understanding helps to make them more effective in coordinating their efforts.
Tom Irving, manager of FIFT, sets the actual cost of operating the Mars at $2,300 per hour for the aircraft alone (approximately $1,850 U.S.). It takes a staff of 30 to run the FIFT operation. They do their own maintenance on the aircraft with the exception of major engine overhauls. In addition to their two Martin Mars and one Grumman Goose, FIFT has helicopters that they use for fire suppression, reconnaissance, and rescue.
The operational base and headquarters of FIFT is located on Sproat Lake, about eight miles outside the town of Port Alberni, B.C. Visits may be arranged during low fire risk periods. The planes must be flown every seven to ten days to keep the engines oiled, and it is possible to see the planes fly and do a practice water drop.
The Mars firefighting technique wouldn’t work well in all areas, but it works remarkably well in British Columbia. Unfortunately, the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars are the only two left in the world, but the lesson to be learned from them is an interesting one. It is said that history repeats itself—in the case of the Mars, it would be nice if it did.
