Smokejumper Aircraft

Utilizing a fleet of fixed wing aircraft including a Twin Otter, Dornier, Casa and a Shorts Sherpa, smokejumper and paracargo operations can reach anywhere in the country.

The DH-6 300 series Twin Otter is a Short-Take-Off-and-Landing (STOL) aircraft ideal for demanding smokejumper missions in the back country. The Twin Otter has a cruise speed of 150 knots, providing an initial attack capability of eight smokejumpers with a two day supply of food, water, and firefighting supplies within a range of 340 nautical miles from the base of operation. The STOL capability of this aircraft enables it to operate from more primitive landing fields. The U.S. Forest Service has three of these aircraft based at McCall, Idaho, two agency Twin Otters and a Contracted One.

Shorts Sherpa C-23 Dornier, and Casa aircraft are also used for the delivery of smokejumpers and their cargo. They are also used to transport paracargo and equipment.

The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of bringing SD-360s, that were transferred to the agency from the Department of Defense through the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, into service as Smokejumper aircraft.