The ‘Super Scooper’ aerial firefighting planes have arrived at Montrose Regional Airport. #wildfires | Montrose Regional Airport

Water-scooping firefighter planes—often called “scoopers” or “amphibious water bombers”—are specialized aircraft designed to combat wildfires. They can swiftly skim across lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, collecting thousands of liters of water in seconds without the need to land! This water is then released over active fires to help extinguish flames and slow their spread. Popular models include the Canadair CL-415 and the Viking Air CL-515. These planes are particularly valuable in regions wi