Amphibious AT-802F Scooping Single Engine Air Tanker

Case Study: Lockhyttan Fire in Sweden

In 2018 Sweden faced the hottest July in 250 years. As a result more than fifty large wildfires raged throughout much of Sweden, covering in total 250 km2 (100 square miles)

Due to the immensity of the fires, a call for assistance went out via the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. Portugal’s National Authority for Civil Protection (ANPC) loaned two of the Tondela, Portugal based Agro-Montiar Fire Bosses it had on contract.

Operations began on July 26 and were actively involved in fighting wildfires until July 30. By that time the crisis in Sweden was under control with help from rains that extinguished most of the fires.

Mission totals included 27 hours over the fire, 356 water drops, 4.5 minutes between drops, and over 282,135 USG (1,068,000 L) delivered with 2 Fire Bosses.

  • Fleet of two Fire Bosses scoooped and dropped in a circuit
  • Maintained 100% fleet operational readiness
  • Scooped from Nora Lake and others lakes available in the wider Örebro area
  • Average of 5.5 mi (9 km) between fire and scooping site for a 4.5 minute circuit time
  • On average, dropped over 793 USG (3,000 L) every 4.5 minutes achieving an impressive 13 drops per hour. That equaled 10,566 USG (40,000 L) of water delivered every hour of firefighting operations.

Engagement Totals

Total Time Fire Time Drops Min. per Drop Total Water Dropped Water Dropped per Hour
7/26/2018 19:00:00 8:20:00 116 4.3 91,932 USG / 348,000 L 11,058 USG / 41,860 L
7/27/2018 20:30:00 14:10:00 184 4.6 145,823 USG / 552,000 L 10,337 USG / 39,130 L
7/30/2018 7:00:00 4:30:00 56 4.8 44,381 USG / 168,000 L 9,906 USG / 37,500 L
Totals 46:30:00 27:00:00 356 4.5 282,136 USG / 1,068,000 L 10,566 USG / 40,000 L

Video Footage From Pilot Eder Navacerrada