World’s ‘largest fire extinguisher’ grounded in California firefights

A 747-400 Series Passenger Jet turned into the world’s largest fire extinguisher is not part of the firefight involved with dozens of wildfires affecting California. But why?

California has an agreement to use the plane capable of carrying 19,000 gallons of water or fire retardant at a time, but it can’t deploy it until the U.S. Forest Service gives its approval.

The converted passenger jet costs more than $250,000 a day to operate.

Jim Wheeler, the President and CEO of Global Supertanker, the company behind the plane, said it’s hard to watch property burn and lives lost and they can’t get in to help.

Some firefighter advocacy groups suggest the Forest Service might be trying to control costs. Forest Service officials said they can’t comment on the dispute because Global Supertanker filed an official protest in June 2017.

Despite its hefty price tag, Wheeler believes his service is a bargain. The plane has already been used to fight fires in Chile and Israel.