The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) deployed one of its Embraer KC-390 Millennium to the state of São Paulo to support the fight against arson.
The aircraft arrived in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of the state, on Sunday, but could not immediately take action due to the dense smoke from the fires set in the region’s undergrowth.
The arsons are being investigated by Brazilian authorities, but the intent is unclear. There are indications that they are being incited by criminal organizations.
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The KC-390 was designed to be equipped with the MAFFS II (Modular Airborne Firefighting System), consisting of a kit installed in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
The Embraer jet has two launchers installed on the side doors and can launch around 12,000 liters of water with each pass.
The multi-role aircraft has already helped fight forest fires in June and July in the Pantanal region, an important ecosystem in South America.
“The period of operation of the KC-390 in fighting fires in the Ribeirão Preto region is indefinite. We can assure you that the FAB is fully dedicated to minimizing the impacts of this crisis on the population,” said the Commander of the 1st Troop Transport Group of the FAB, Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Américo Pereira.
