Air Guard Tankers Being Activated to Combat Western Wildfires

Air National Guard C-130s from Wyoming, Nevada and Colorado that are equipped to battle fires have been activated to fight wildfires in the Western U.S.

The three large aircraft will be stationed in Fresno, Calif.

Currently, the activation is scheduled to last one month but can be changed.

Lt. Col. Todd Davis of the 187th Airlift Squadron in Wyoming says the C-130 will fly as low as 150 feet above the ground while on wildfire missions.

The planes can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than 5 seconds and cover an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide.