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Report Says Heavy Air Tankers Not The Best For Fighting Wildfires

DENVER (CBS4) - A new study says heavy air tankers that drop retardant are not the best way to fight wildfires.

The U.S. Forest Service commissioned the report which looked at the cost to buy aerial firefighting tools and the price of maintaining the planes.

The report found that smaller planes that scoop up and drop water cost half that of the tankers and can work more quickly.

The Forest Service says it thinks that report is flawed and has no plans to stop buying new air tankers.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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