Wyoming air tankers to fight wildfires

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Two military air tankers from Wyoming are in Boise to help fight wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.

The Air Expeditionary Group said Monday that two C-130's from the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing were in place and ready to fight fires.

The planes haven't been called up to fight a particular fire but will be flown throughout the region on an as-needed basis.

Often that means heading out on missions as temperatures climb and fire activity picks up during the afternoon.

The planes are equipped with a large device called the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS. They can drop 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds.