When fire activity goes up, MAFFS (Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems) go into action. Right now, two DoD C-130 planes, equipped with this unique fire suppression system, are flying out of Boise.
The planes were called up by the National Interagency Fire Center. You may have seen the giant planes launching over Boise or video from an air drop over a wildfire. We found video of another side of MAFFS: Cleaning out the pipes before bringing on another load of retardant.
So, what's it like when crews flush 3,000 gallons of water through the MAFF system? Check out this slow motion video from the National Interagency Fire Center below:
It takes less than five seconds to drop that 3,000-gallon load over a fire, which can cover an area a quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide.
This is one of two MAFFS that were mobilized out of Cheyenne and Colorado Springs. The program was started in the 1970s. The U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Defense work together to keep these planes and crews in the air over fires.
Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio
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