Fire crews battling a wildfire west of Phoenix — roughly 300 acres so far — are fighting on the ground and from the air as drought fuels the flames. Rising fuel costs are also driving up the price of aviation resources firefighters rely on.
Aircraft are often first on the scene for critical water or retardant drops. Large air tankers, such as DC-10s, can carry nearly 10,000 gallons, but operating them is expensive: smaller aircraft can run $3,000–$4,000 an hour, while larger tankers can cost $25,000–$30,000 per hour. Jet fuel has surged — officials cited increases of more than 65% in a recent two‑month span — and that pushes up hourly operating costs. Paul Petersen, executive director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association, noted that larger aircraft burn hundreds of gallons an hour and that taxpayers ultimately shoulder the expense.
Last year, the U.S. Forest Service spent more than $52 million on aviation fuel; its current budget for fuel is about $45 million. The agency maintains aviation fuel prices will not affect its ability to respond to fires.
In California, jet fuel has exceeded $10 per gallon at some airports. CAL FIRE is using flight simulators to conserve flight hours and says aircraft are strategically positioned across the state so response time is minimal. Officials stress that keeping aircraft available is a “non‑negotiable necessity for public safety.” Petersen warned that the potential cost of not sending aircraft — in damages to communities and infrastructure — could run into the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars.
Officials also note this is a nationwide concern: wildfires are burning across the country, from Nebraska to Florida, and higher fuel prices are increasing overall firefighting expenditures.