KUNC's Nathan Heffel interviews CO Senator Mark Udall about the signing of a bill which will speed up the contracting of new US Forest Service air tankers. The current fleet stands around 17 tankers.
A bill to speed up the contracting of seven new Forest Service air tankers has become law. President Barack Obama signed the bill Wednesday. While the new planes won't be ready to fight the High Park Fire, Senator Mark Udall says the tankers will modernize the fleet.
Heavy firefighting air tankers are one of the most visible resources being used to fight the High Park Fire. The cost to fly and maintain the large aircraft is not cheap, and will continue to increase as the fire remains relatively uncontained.
