Roswell Air Tanker Base supports firefighting operations

The Roswell Air Tanker Base (ATB), which is operated by BLM New Mexico, is an important reload base for air tankers conducting aerial firefighting operations. An air tanker is an airplane equipped with tanks for carrying and dumping fire retardant. The Roswell ATB, which is located at the Roswell International Air Center, hosts single engine air tankers, large air tankers, and very large air tankers (such as the DC10) during periods of peak fire activity.

The Roswell ATB is staffed with one full-time employee and supported by personnel from the BLM Pecos District, including fire and non-fire employees and emergency hires. Considerable effort has been put into increasing qualifications at the local level to allow the tanker base to remain fully operable. The collective support by the Pecos District benefits all agencies related to emergency response and ensures that as fire activity increases, the base complies with national standards for operations.  

"We've been able to support multiple aerial platforms, including sharing an air attack platform with BLM Idaho. This has allowed for cost savings and use of the aircraft during the earlier Southwest fire season,” said Nathan Curnutt, Acting Pecos District Fire Management Officer. 

So far in 2020, the Roswell ATB has supported 12 incidents in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, loading 206,520 gallons of fire retardant. The amount of retardant delivered is lower than average as New Mexico thankfully has seen less fire activity as compared to the neighboring state of Arizona.