U.S. aerial fire fighting operational statistics (2025): very large/large air tankers and scoopers

Abstract

Wildfires are a natural part of the wildland life cycle. Decades-long trends of increased frequency, duration and magnitude of wildfires have increased the risk of fatalities, property damage and financial loss. To address this risk, fire containment and suppression methods have been adapted to include increased use of aerial firefighting. In support of ground crews, strategic retardant drops using very large, large and scooper air tankers can assist in the containment and/or suppression of large wildfires. The purpose of this report is to provide statistics on the U.S. aerial firefighting fleet, flight operations and airport utilisation in 2025. This information may be of use to air tanker operators, airport planners, air navigation service providers, aircraft manufacturers and policy makers. In 2025, 43 tankers under contract with the United States Forest Service (USFS) ranged in age from 10 to 57 years. The aircraft performed 10,912 retardant drop and reposition flights. Flights operated on 92% of the days of the year. with an average of 30 flights per day; the maximum number of flights per day was 206. The median duration of a retardant drop flight was 36 minutes. Thirteen airports supported 50% of the flights. A total of 195 airports were used at least once.