MESA, Ariz. - Meet the Avro RJ85, an upgrade in aircraft that fight wildfires.
The newest generation of air tanker has made it to Mesa Gateway airport.
It's bigger, it's faster, t holds more products and it's safer for pilots.
"We're looking in upwards of 1,000 gallons more than what they would have before," said John Price, the assistant tanker base manager at Mesa-Gateway Airport.
The aircraft is almost twice as fast as previous aircraft that have fought fires in Arizona.
"It's something that can make or break a fire," said Price. "So speed is paramount for us. To be able to get to and from and get reloaded and back in the air."
The tank that holds the retardant swells at the belly of the plane and holds about 3,000 gallons. The resource helps Arizona firefighters train until wildfire season kicks in. At any moment it can also leave to serve the needs of the nation.
"Having that aircraft," Price said, "can service Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and get into any of those areas in a really quick amount of time."
As for how Arizona fares this wildfire season, officials at Tonto National Forest said the fire forecast is high.
"When we got our rains over the winter, that allowed the grasses to grow high," said Carrie Templin, spokesperson for the forest. "They will dry out, turn brown and be nice and ready to burn if we get a spark."