Aerial Firefighting News

AeroTime

High activity

Australia issues national SOPs for large air tanker firefighting aircraft, setting minimum retardant drop heights after 2023 737

Australia has introduced its first national standard operating procedures for large air tanker firefighting aircraft, including minimum drop heights, after an investigation into a 2023 Boeing 737 firebomber accident in Western Australia. The rules follow findings that no height restrictions were in place at the time of the crash.

FlightGlobal

Australia standardises operating rules for large firefighting aircraft after Coulson 737 crash into terrain

Australia has introduced standardized height and operational rules for large firefighting aircraft following the 2023 Coulson 737 accident, in which the aircraft crashed into rising terrain after a downslope retardant drop. The update responds to the finding that no height restrictions were in place at the time of the accident.

AeroTime

France mobilizes an Airbus A400M to combat Gironde wildfires, disrupting Airbus and Rafale-area aerospace operations

France’s military deployed an Airbus A400M to help fight out-of-control wildfires burning west of Bordeaux in late July 2026. As fires threatened the region, aerospace firms—including Dassault, Thales and ArianeGroup—closed nearby sites, while Dassault moved sensitive equipment to Merignac and nearby air-base facilities after the Gironde wildfire idled the Rafale assembly line.

Associated Press

Finland closes part of airspace and restricts maritime traffic near Russia amid drone incursions

Finland’s military closed a section of Finnish airspace and imposed maritime traffic restrictions along the country’s southern coast near the Russia border, citing risk from stray drones linked to the Ukraine war. Related reporting highlights drone violations across NATO’s northern flank, including air-defense responses in Romania.

Reuters

Avincis warns Europe is unprepared for longer, more extreme wildfire seasons as aerial firefighting capacity tightens

Avincis, Europe’s largest aerial emergency services firm, is warning that the region is not ready for longer and more extreme wildfire seasons. The company flags growing strain on waterbomber and aerial firefighting capacity as wildfire conditions intensify.

FlightGlobal

De Havilland Canada to start final assembly of first DHC-515 water bomber, targeting 2028 delivery

De Havilland Canada is preparing to begin final assembly of its first DHC-515 water bomber this year, with the aircraft already largely manufactured. The program remains on track for an expected 2028 delivery, positioning the modernized DHC-515 as the successor to the CL-415 family in aerial firefighting roles.

Air Data News

France deploys Airbus A400M for first forest-firefighting mission, debuting cargo-bay retardant drops

France has used an Airbus A400M Atlas for its first operational forest firefighting mission, marking a milestone in the aircraft’s multi-mission evolution. The deployment follows development and testing of a paletized/MAFFS-like firefighting kit concept, enabling retardant-laden drops against wildfires.

SpaceNews.com

NASA and ESA ground facilities in Spain spared in major wildfire

Key ground-station infrastructure operated in Spain for NASA and the European Space Agency avoided serious damage as major wildfires swept through the country. The incident threatened critical space-support operations, but the facilities remained intact and were not reported as sustaining major impacts.