The riveting history of how aircraft have transformed the fighting of wildfires.

Throughout history, when threatened by wildfires our only defense was to pray for rain and run — until aircraft changed the way we fight fires. Beginning with the Canadian “H-Boats” in 1924, aircraft have become indispensable in detecting and extinguishing wildfires. Fire Eaters tells the incredible stories of the Ontario Provincial Air Service, the first government aerial fire suppression organization in history; one of its pilots, Carl Crossley, who invented the water scoop-up and drop-off system; and the Canadair CL-215, the first purpose-built water bomber.

Today, helicopters with “Bambi Buckets” and snorkels can dump water while hovering directly over the flames, and Air Tractors and Dash 8-400AT air tankers not only perform a crucial role in saving communities but also protect our ecosystem. Satellites — unmanned aircraft able to fly for sixteen hours, even overnight when manned aircraft do not — and artificial intelligence already play a decisive role in fire management.

But it is the men and women of the aerial fire service who have really changed the way we fight fire around the world. Their bravery and dedication mean that response times are fast, fires can be contained sooner, and people have the chance to save rather than lose everything.

As the son of an airline employee, Peter Pigott grew up at the edge of airports around the world, including Santa Cruz, Bombay, London and Montreal. He attended the University of Montreal Teacher's College (B.Ed.) and Loyola College in Montreal (B.A.). and then went on to receive a M.A. from the University of Vermont in Burlington USA and a diploma in history at Oxford University in England.

Pigott joined the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs in 1978 and has served at embassies in New York, Hong Kong, Vienna and The Hague. He returned to Ottawa in 1993 and began his writing career, specializing in books about aviation.

Also by Peter Pigott: The Official History of Aviation in Hong Kong, Flying Canucks! Famous Canadian Aviators, Hong Kong Rising: The History of a Remarkable Place, Gateways: Airports of Canada, Flying Colours: Commercial Aviation in Canada, Flying Canucks II: Famous Canadian Aviators

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Fire Eaters is the most comprehensive book on aerial fire fighting that I have read. The author makes you feel like you are right there with the pioneers of the industry. He explains clearly and concisely the challenging early years of using aircraft for both detection and firebombing. And he brings us right to the currently used aircraft and technology. I found the book fascinating. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in the evolution of aerial forest protection.

Ray Bozzer, Director, Bozzer Aviation Ltd

Summer means fire in Canada. Often, within a short time of a wildfire starting, air tankers and helicopters will appear overhead providing the first line of defense. Fire Eaters provides a detailed history of the evolution of fire fighting aircraft plus delving into the roles of the pilots, maintenance, and forestry personnel that confront this fire threat. A compelling read for those who want to understand the dynamics of fire on our landscape today along with a look into the dedicated professionals who choose to do this line of work; too often paying the ultimate price as did Juliana Turchetti, on August 7, 2024.

Tim Garrish, Air Tanker Pilot (ret’d), Conair