Citing Drought, County Extends Super Scooper Lease for 2 More Weeks

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles County has extended its lease of two Super Scooper water dropping planes for another month.

The annual lease of the two Bombardier CL-415 planes -- each capable of carrying up to 1,620 gallons -- was set to expire on Nov. 5, but has been extended through Nov. 30, according to the office of county Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

The county has been leasing the aircraft from the Province of Quebec in Canada since 1994.

"As a result of the county's lengthened fire season due to the six-year drought, it is vital that we maintain the best arsenal and resources to protect life and property, Antonovich said.

The planes can be:filled with water in 12 seconds and airborne in five minutes and are capable of flying for three hours before refueling.

The county signed a five-year, $41.25 million deal to lease the Super Scoopers, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

This year, the planes arrived in Van Nuys in early August, several weeks sooner than originally planned.

-- City News Service. Patch file photo.