JAN 14, 2025 – (LOS ANGELES) – With forecasters predicting higher-than-normal fire potential due to the climate crisis, it is critical to adopt advanced tools for mitigating and responding to fire disasters. Beyond their destructive force, wildfires also contribute significantly to annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, exacerbating the very climate challenges that fuel these disasters.
The Los Angeles Wildfires: A Stark Reminder of the Growing Threat.
Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area have underscored the urgent need for enhanced wildfire management strategies. In 2023 alone, multiple fires burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and forced the evacuation of entire communities. The Saddleridge Fire and the Getty Fire, among others, highlighted how quickly these disasters can escalate in densely populated urban regions, threatening lives and infrastructure.
In 2025, Los Angeles experienced another devastating wildfire season, with the “Sunset Blaze” becoming one of the most destructive in the city’s history. Burning over 50,000 acres, the fire destroyed hundreds of homes and required the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The combination of record-breaking temperatures, prolonged drought, and fierce Santa Ana winds created a perfect storm for this disaster. The Sunset Blaze not only disrupted lives but also caused significant economic damage and released vast amounts of greenhouse gases, further highlighting the urgency for innovative solutions like those offered by Aeros.
The unique challenges of wildfires in Los Angeles are driven by a combination of factors, including prolonged drought conditions, high winds such as the Santa Ana winds, and the expanding urban-wildland interface. These fires not only devastate natural ecosystems but also result in hazardous air quality that impacts millions of residents.
The Cost of Fighting Wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Wildfires come with an enormous financial burden for states heavily affected by them. In 2022 alone, California spent over $3 billion on wildfire suppression and management efforts. Oregon and Washington followed closely, spending approximately $700 million and $500 million, respectively. These costs continued to escalate in subsequent years. In 2023, California’s wildfire suppression costs rose to $3.5 billion, while Oregon and Washington spent $800 million and $600 million, respectively. The upward trend persisted in 2024, with California allocating $4 billion, Oregon $900 million, and Washington $700 million to combat wildfires. These expenditures include deploying firefighting crews, aircraft operations, and post-fire recovery efforts. Such staggering expenses highlight the urgent need for cost-effective, scalable solutions like the Aeros ML866 and ML888 airships. By providing a more efficient and impactful firefighting method, Aeros can help reduce the financial strain on these states while also improving the effectiveness of wildfire response.
The Aeros ML866 and ML888: Game-Changing Tools for Firefighting.
Aeros is revolutionizing wildfire mitigation and response with its groundbreaking electric variable buoyancy airships (eVBAs). The Aeros ML866 airship can carry up to 20,000 gallons of water or foam—a capacity far exceeding traditional firefighting aircraft. For comparison, a Sikorsky S70 helicopter and a Lockheed C-130 airplane carry only 1,000 and 3,000 gallons respectively. Future iterations of Aeros’ airships, such as the ML888, will raise the bar even higher, boasting a capacity of up to 72,000 gallons.
These airships represent an unparalleled advancement in firefighting capability, enabling rapid and effective responses to wildfires. Their massive payload capacity allows them to deliver significantly more water or fire-retardant foam per sortie, reducing the number of trips required and, consequently, the time needed to contain a fire.
Faster Response, Greater Reach.
Unlike conventional firefighting aircraft, which rely on airport-based refueling and reloading infrastructure, Aeros’ eVBAs can operate from remote staging areas closer to wildfire zones. This capability drastically reduces response times, allowing crews to combat fires at their inception. With the ability to stay airborne for extended periods, these airships can cover vast areas, including remote and hard-to-reach regions, where conventional firefighting methods are often ineffective.
Collaboration and Future Plans.
Aeros is actively seeking partnerships with firefighting agencies, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders to deploy its airships in wildfire mitigation efforts. By working with these partners, Aeros aims to develop a comprehensive approach to wildfire management, combining advanced airship technology with on-the-ground firefighting strategies. Progress in identifying offtake partners and deployment plans will be detailed in Part II of its ongoing initiative.
A New Era in Wildfire Management.
The climate crisis demands bold and innovative solutions, and Aeros’ eVBAs are poised to become a cornerstone of modern wildfire management. With unparalleled water-carrying capacity, zero-emission operation, and rapid deployment capabilities, the Aeros ML866 and ML888 airships represent a transformative approach to protecting communities, ecosystems, and the environment from the growing threat of wildfires. As Aeros continues to push the boundaries of technology, it is charting a path toward a safer, more resilient future.
To learn more about Aeros, visit: www.Aeroscraft.com
Contact us at: aeros_pr@aeros.email
Aeros is a logistics company dedicated to the development, manufacture, and fleet operation of the Zero-Emission Electric Variable Buoyancy Airship (eVBA), the Aeroscraft. The fleet of eVBAs will provide carbon-free Next Day Air transportation services at ground shipping prices. By integrating advanced airship and drone technologies, Aeros aims to provide fast, efficient, and sustainable transportation services to customers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.Aeroscraft.com
