Other Resources It is important to note that a hotshot crew is only a part of the entire picture of bringing a raging forest fire under control. As stated above, bulldozers are just one example of a resource used in fighting forest fires. Airtanker Pilots Website One resource which is vital to suppression efforts can be found in the smoke-filled air. Numerous types of planes and helicopters are used to drop water and retardant on a fire. The airplanes the drop retardant on the fires are called air tankers.
Most air tankers are old military and civilian war planes.
To view some pictures of air tankers just click here. The retardant from the air tankers is used to stop or slow the rate of spread of a fire. An air attack plane is a plane that does not carry retardant. It is a plane which circles over the fire, watching the fires rate and direction of spread. The air attack crew works with the aerial forces and the ground forces to try to slow and stop the spread of the fire.