Help from the skies

Re “Just for show?” July 29

The Times lists the costs of aerial firefighting ($2,095 for one ton of retardant) but not the costs of what that ton of retardant prevents. By the way, we all gladly buy $1 bottled water; that also comes to about $2,000 a ton.

You have a point that politicians should be kept out of strategic decision-making in firefighting (good luck). But don’t mix that up with the value of effective aerial firefighting. Additionally, if existing ADS-B technologies -- a far more effective and modern form of air traffic control -- were put to use, tankers could fly at night and in smoke. If politicians really want to help, that’s a good place to start.

As a 30-plus-years aviation professional but, more important, a 2007 Grass Valley fire survivor in Lake Arrowhead, I can tell you that the “CNN drop” DC-10 tanker was a heavenly sight. It was an integral part of the team that saved our homes.

Robert Tymczyszyn

Lake Arrowhead