Minnesota DNR Shows Off New 'FireBoss' Firefighting Planes
PRINCETON, Minn. (AP) — There's a new boss at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the FireBoss.
With the wildfire risk high in parts of Minnesota, the DNR on Friday showed off its newest addition, one of four new water-scooping FireBoss airplanes it has on contract. Officials say the FireBosses are smaller than the aging planes they replaced, but they're faster and don't need nearly as much maintenance.
The agency is already using the FireBoss planes to control wildfires across the state, including one in a remote, swampy area of Aitkin County that burned around 2,500 acres, but didn't threaten any people or structures. The fire started near Tamarack on Thursday afternoon.
High winds and low humidity prompted Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday to authorize the Minnesota National Guard to assist in firefighting efforts.
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