In 2020, the Galicia region of Spain experienced an alarming number of large wildfires. The region primarily relies on wheeled SEAT aircraft for aerial firefighting. These aircraft operate from airports, departing pre-loaded with water or retardant and returning to the base for reloading between drops.
In contrast, northern Portugal, a similarly fire-prone region, utilizes a fleet of AT-802 Fire Boss aircraft. These amphibious planes have the advantage of refilling from nearby water sources, significantly reducing their turnaround time. The impact of this difference in strategy is striking: despite facing comparable wildfire conditions, Portugal experienced far less devastation.
A detailed operational analysis highlights the stark contrast in efficiency between the two aircraft:
| Metric | Fire Boss (AT-802) | SEAT Land Based |
|---|---|---|
| Time from base to fire | 10 min | 10 min |
| Time fire-scooping-fire | 5 min | N/A |
| Time fire-reload-fire | 10 min | 10 min |
Operational Performance Over Time
First Hour:
Fire Boss: 10 drops per aircraft, each carrying an average of 2,500 liters
Land Based: 2 drops per aircraft, each carrying 2,400 liters
Total water delivered:
Fire Boss fleet: 50,000 liters
Land Based fleet: 9,600 liters
Three-Hour Operation:
Fire Boss: 10 drops per aircraft per hour, increasing load capacity as fuel decreases
Land Based: 2 drops per aircraft per hour, restricted by structural limits
Total water delivered:
Fire Boss fleet: 168,000 liters
Land Based: 28,800 liters
Impact on Wildfire Outcomes
The efficiency of aerial firefighting has a direct impact on wildfire suppression. A comparison of Portugal and Galicia in 2019 demonstrates this:
| Region | Total Area (km²) | Burnt Surface (ha) | % of Burnt Surface |
| Portugal | 92,212 | 42,840 | 0.46% |
| Galicia, Spain* | 29,574 | 38,622 | 1.3% |
(*Includes Asturias and Cantabria in the Northwest Zone)
Real-World Case: September 13, 2020
On this date, two wildfires ignited just 20 km apart—one in Portugal and the other in Galicia. Both fires had similar vegetation, weather conditions, and fuel loads. However, the outcomes were drastically different:
The Portuguese fire, managed by a Fire Boss fleet, was fully extinguished the same morning.
The fire in Galicia, managed by SEAT Land Based aircraft, took several days to control.
The ability of Fire Boss aircraft to scoop water from nearby sources provided an undeniable advantage. The data shows that the Fire Boss fleet was three times more effective in aerial firefighting compared to the land-based fleet. This case study highlights the importance of utilizing amphibious aircraft in fire-prone regions, ensuring faster response times and greater suppression capability.
