County backs plan to host state single‑engine air tankers at Aspen Airport for faster wildfire initial attack

Pitkin County commissioners directed staff to develop an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to allow state aerial firefighting resources — specifically single‑engine air tankers (about 800‑gallon capacity) — to use Aspen/Pitkin County Airport as a temporary tanker base for initial attack operations.

Airport and fire officials briefed the board on a year‑long effort with Aspen Fire Protection District and the county airport to prepare for temporary tanker base operations. Captain Tim Treat and Chief Jake Anderson described a model where state aircraft on call would drop retardant or water on a wildfire, then land at Aspen Airport to reload using the city’s hydrant system and county staff‑supported tanker base equipment; aircraft would get priority handling as emergency aircraft and the temporary base would be expected to operate for short initial‑attack windows (one to three days) rather than long‑term deployments.

Officials emphasized these single‑engine tankers are smaller and maneuverable — not the very large DC‑10 type used in other states — and are intended to reduce flight time by refilling locally rather than returning to Front Range bases. County staff and the Aspen Fire Department said they would provide equipment, trained personnel and tracking of water usage. The city of Aspen would inspect hydrant connections and provide water when available; staff said the water demand from these aircraft is modest for short operations but that the county would evaluate impacts before any longer‑term or larger‑scale retardant base was approved.

Commissioners expressed support for drafting an IGA and asked staff to return with a formal agreement and any required airport planning steps, including whether any airport layout plan amendments would be necessary. The board did not adopt an IGA at the meeting; staff said a draft will return for approval.