Aerial firefighters—the pilots, flight coordinators, and crew—have played a vital role in the battle against the worst fire season in Southern California history. As of publishing, the ...

California, most notably, boasts the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world, including airtankers, helicopters, pilots ... seen from a bird’s-eye view. Suddenly, I had left ...

but there are no age limits for firefighting pilots. With unmatchable experience and savvy, it is not uncommon for these aerial firefighters to keep working into their 60s and 70s. Some even fly after ...

Reduced visibility from thick smoke, coupled with turbulence created by the fire's heat, can create perilous flying conditions.