Aerial firefighting companies supplement federal and state firefighting fleets, and their services are in high demand.

In a video, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection demonstrated exactly what could happen to a car that’s caught in the path of one of its aerial firefighters. CAL FIRE/USFS ...

Aerial firefighters—the pilots, flight coordinators, and crew—have played a vital role in the battle against the worst fire season in Southern California history. As of publishing, the ...

Aerial firefighting pilots' ages span decades. He has nearly 30 on staff. Eight mechanics are assigned to each of the company's DC-10s. "It's an odd duck in terms of careers," Kerley said.