Two CL-415 airplanes perform skimming water refills on Georgetown Lake during the Moose Fire on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, August 10, 2026. The CL-415 can scoop up to 1,600 gallons of water in about 12 seconds while skimming across the surface of a lake at roughly 70 to 80 knots. When working near a usable water source like Georgetown Lake, a scooper can deliver continuous drops every few minutes, placing a massive volume of water on the fire in a short timeframe. (Forest Service video by Jaime Trivette)
