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# Supertanker may fly the coop
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/supertanker-may-fly-the-coop/
- Published: 2007-05-04T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:41:07.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: Government & Politics, Malibu, #archive-import

*Non-profit out to save DC-10*

STATEWIDE Public safety advocates trying to save the super hero among fire prevention tools are hoping their efforts don’t get burned by the state’s budget crunch.

With the upcoming fire season in mind, Topanga Canyon-based Wildfire Research Network (WRN) has launched a grassroots organization to urge lawmakers in Sacramento to find the funding for continued use of a DC-10 Supertanker, an aircraft capable of dropping 12,000 gallons of flame retardant onto blazes. For residents in Santa Monica and Malibu, particularly those who live along or in the Santa Monica Mountains, continued use of the supertanker could be vital considering the dry rainfall season.

WRN, which was founded in 2004 by residents of wildfire-prone communities in Southern California, has in recent weeks been ratcheting up its efforts to encourage Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators to find funding in the upcoming budget to continue to have access to the aircraft.

Setting the supertanker apart from its smaller counterparts is its capability to carry and dump tens of thousands of flame retardant on to fires. In just one trip, the supertanker can drop the flame retardant — a mixture of fertilizer and iron oxide — around the existing blaze, creating a barrier and preventing the flames from proceeding past the line.

The supertanker can drop up to 12,000 gallons in eight seconds, creating a barrier — also known as the “building line” — longer than half a mile and about 50-100 feet wide. It can hold 10 times more flame retardant than any state fire prevention aircraft and five times more than any federally-used fire prevention aircraft.

“The fire will burn up to the retardant and will stop,” said Tony Morris, founder of WRN, on Thursday. “The aircraft can be very important in providing the ability to contain it.”

It took Victorville-based 10 Tanker Air Carrier close to four years to develop the supertanker, which was first introduced on a trial basis last year. The state signed a contract with 10 Tanker Air Carrier last fiscal year to use the supertanker on an as-needed basis, dishing out roughly $26,500 an hour for its use.

One of the problems with the on-call contract was the response time, since there was only one supertanker available. A seasonal contract would keep the supertanker exclusively available, Morris said.

The aircraft is based at the Victorville Airport, a central location allowing it to reach anywhere in the state within an hour, said Rick Hatton, managing partner of 10 Tanker Air Carrier.

The supertanker was used 26 times last year in California and Washington in fighting nine different fires.

The response from the state fire agencies was positive, Hatton said.

“We need this resource to supplement the initial attack response,” said Mike Padilla, aviation manager for the California Department Forestry and Fire Protection.

Trying to build its business, 10 Tanker Air Carrier will no longer offer on call contracts and is seeking seasonal contracts with state agencies, bringing in more revenue to the company and allowing its engineers to build more supertankers.

The base cost of the contract could be about $5 million with a minimum of 120 days, though the terms have not been discussed, Morris said.

Hatton did not want to disclose his asking price, but said it would be a multi-million dollar deal.

“It’s almost like insurance,” Hatton said. “You kind of hope you don’t have any fires and don’t need it, but it’s good to have it.”

The fate of the supertanker in California could lie in the hands of the state’s Budget Subcommittee 3, which deals with natural resources including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, who lives in Santa Monica and represents the 41st District, sits on the committee.

“She is supportive of it, but the problem is we have to understand the full budget,” said Stephanie Burri, Brownley’s chief of staff. “It’s a good idea, but we have to figure out what the financial situation of the state is.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/050407-01_01.jpg)

of 10 Tanker Air Carrier TRAILBLAZER: The DC-10 is the Big Kahuna of anti-fire aircraft. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/050407-01_04.jpg)

of 10 Tanker Air Carrier WHERE’S THE FIRE? (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 4, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)