Here come 'da judge!

July 6, 2008, about 7:00 pm

A DC10 Airtanker makes a pass over the northeast perimeter of the Basin Complex Fire during the Cachagua Fire Information Meeting, held at Cachagua Community Park this evening. This aircraft, contracted by Cal Fire, and known as Tanker 910, can dump as much as 12,000 gallons of retardant in eight seconds.

According to Cal-Fire's website, "Tanker 910 is under contract for exclusive use to CAL FIRE through 2009 with its owner, 10 Tanker Air Carrier of Victorville. The cost to operate is $41,000 per day for exclusive use by CAL FIRE which totals $5,002,000 per contract year. There is also a $5,500 per flight hour cost. "

These links will take you to YouTube videos of this aircraft dropping retardant during the Humboldt fire in Chico, earlier this year:

     In the first video, you'll see Tanker 910's "lead plane," a King Air E-90, bank left after leading the DC10 to the target.

     The second video is a closer shot of a retardant drop during the same fire.

And here's Cal Fire's news release about Tanker 910.