Air Tractor AT-802 (N803NZ)

The tanker base ground personnel were extremely busy. Temperature at Stead on this sunny afternoon was 99 degrees (F) so temperature out on the hot ramp was well into triple digits, but the ground personnel were constantly refilling aircraft with retardant. In straight-line air miles, the North Fire was only a short distance north of RTS, so it did not take long for aircraft to depart Stead, arrive at the wildfire and make their retardant drops, and arrive back at Stead. And ... there were five aircraft in a constant and steady "arrive-reload retardant-depart-return for more" stream: these two CO Fire Aviation SEAT tankers, an Erickson Aero Tanker Mad Dog, and two Neptune Aviation BAe-146 tankers. Just as the ground crew would finish pumping retardant into one (or, as seen here, two) aircraft, another tanker would have just landed and would be taxiing up to this area of the ramp. When it comes to fighting wildfires, no person involved in any segment of the battle has it easy. My deepest admiration AND my VERY sincere Thanks go to every single person who fights wildfires.

These photos make a valuable history to go with stories of heroic actions by those who put themselves out there, from ground crews to firefighters both on the ground and in the air. A salute to them all doesn't seem enough.