Interior Department: "Might Put The Air Tankers Back In Service"

The Interior Department's decision to ground 33 aging firefighting tankers may not be the last word after all. The department Monday said it would be willing to consider returning the tankers to the fireline if the FAA can certify their safety.

"There are things we can look at that might put the air tankers back in service," said Assistant Interior Secretary Rebecca Watson. "Short-term, we are looking at how we deal with this fire season. And I think we have a good plan."

As ANN reported last week, the Forest Service and the Department of Interior yanked the contracts from 33 aerial tankers over safety concerns.

The sudden decision stunned the contractors and left firefighters wondering how they were going to deal with a wildfire season that already seemed to be in full swing.

The decision to ground the older tankers came after two fatal crashes in 2002. Both aircraft belonged to Hawkins & Powers Aviation, based in Greybull (WY). Both lost wings in flight.

Other aerial firefighting contractors said they were being penalized for one company's poor record.

The decision leaves 491 firefighting aircraft on the front lines, as Watson predicts this may be one of the worst fire seasons on record.

"We are anticipating a year like 2000," Watson said. "We have very dry fuels out there. In fact, the large-diameter fuels are at their driest level in recorded history."

Watson said her department and the Forest Service just aren't capable of certifying firefighting aircraft. "The land management agencies are not in the business of aircraft safety," she said. "We don't have that capacity. But there is talk now on the (Capitol) Hill about how they might encourage the FAA to get involved."

So far, there's been no word from the FAA on whether the agency wants to become involved.

FMI: www.faa.gov