A California Department of Forestry &  Fire Protection (Cal Fire, formerly CDF) Bronco flies at tree top level during Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) training and recertification at Grand Canyon Hills, Colorado, 06MAY2019.

2019 Cal-Fire video report, upgraded OV-10:

https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRE/videos/493842311191325/

The OV-10, and other small aircraft, serve as forward air controllers (FAC) for the larger water bombers, picking out the next target and guiding the water bombing in.

23JUL2021, Action News Now report (note the reporter uses the incorrect word ‘aircrafts’ while the Cal-Fire official uses the correct word ‘aircraft’) on how smoke from fires can actually ground aircraft:

In 1993, Cal-Fire bought 15 ex-Marines OV-10As (with three blade propellers). They replaced the older O-2As.  In 2009, Cal-Fire bought three OV-10Ds (with four blade props and short ‘A’ model nose).  OV-10As and OV-10Ds are slowly being upgraded to meet Cal-Fire requirements.

2010 Cal-Fire video report, the Gov’na authorizes more of everything for fighting future fires, plus a new GPS flight tracking system will be used:

In 2015, a prop failure on an Cal-Fire OV-10A grounded the OV-10 fleet.

By March 2021, Cal-Fire’s upgraded OV-10 fleet had reached 16 aircraft; 15 former OV-10As and one former OV-10D.  The upgrade project is handled by Amentum-DynCorp International.

May 2021, San Bernardino International Airport video of upgraded OV-10:

California Fire Pilots Association

Click here for official Cal-Fire Aircraft Recognition Guide for 2019.

U.S. Wildfire 2021: WASHINGTON MILITIA DEPLOYS!

Disaster 2021: VERMONT & CONNECTICUT VALKYRIE FIGHT FIRES IN KOSOVO!

Idaho Wildfires 2019: MD-87 WATER BOMBER & NEW KING AIR F-A-C