OREGON COMPANY SECURES $70 MILLION FEDERAL CONTRACT FOR AIR TANKERS

October 28, 2020 10:00 a.m.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that an Oregon company has earned a $70.5 million federal contract for next-generation large air tanker services to support wildland firefighting in Oregon and nationwide.

Wyden said the blazes that devastated so much of Oregon this year unfortunately provide the latest example of “…the urgent need to build a comprehensive arsenal of tools to fight wildfires in our state and the entire country”. He said air tankers are an essential piece of the arsenal and he is glad that Erickson Aero Tanker, based in Hillsboro, has earned the contract.

Merkley said this year was a reminder of how important it is that every possible tool is available, including air tankers, “…to keep our communities safe from future blazes”.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the air tankers for the U.S. Forest Service will provide modern aerial firefighting support delivering retardant throughout the state, according to the release.

Erickson Aero Tanker General Manager Matt Isley said with this contract the company will have four MD-87’s under exclusive contracts with two more available for emergency use. He said this season the company’s tankers have dropped over 6.5 million gallons of water or retardant on fires in 13 states.