Martin Mars Water Bomber

On October 24, 2007, a Martin Mars Water Bomber left Canada to assist in the fight against the wildfires ravaging California.

Fast Facts

1. The Mars bombers are the world's largest active propeller driven water bombers
2. Capacity: 7,000 gallons (enough to drench three acres)
3. Maximum speed: 221 mph
4. Mars bombers were previously used to fight wildfires in California in 2000
5. More than 500,000 people were evacuated during the 2007 California wildfires

Unique Aircraft

The two remaining Martin Mars Water Bombers are owned by the Coulson Group and based out of Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, British Columbia. Originally designed to transport cargo and personnel over long distances in World War II, the aircraft have been used to fight fires in British Columbia since the 1960s. The Mars water bombers are able to pick up 7,000 gallons of water in about 25 seconds while on the fly and can return to the fire site within ten minutes.

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