Fighting Fire from the Skies

Wildfires are growing in intensity, and firefighting aviation is becoming increasingly crucial to saving forests and lives in Colorado and beyond. Fire aviation teams are critical, complex efforts, made up of pilots, technicians, and coordinators who work together with ground crews to put out and contain wildfires. As environmental conditions set the stage for unprecedented fire seasons, night vision goggle technology is employed for the first time, and Colorado legislatures are paying closer attention than ever to the importance of wildfires. The progress is clear, yet so much remains to be done.