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Hercules C-130: The New Aerial Stronghold Against Wildfires in Chile

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With a capacity of 15,000 liters, the Hercules C-130 aircraft joins the wildfire-fighting fleet, promising efficiency and precision in complex terrains.

The Hercules C-130, a wildfire-fighting aircraft, was unveiled at the María Dolores Aerodrome in Los Ángeles, Biobío Region. Known for its high maneuverability and ability to operate in challenging terrains, this aircraft becomes a fundamental pillar for rapid and effective emergency response nationwide. With a three-hour autonomy and the capability to perform partial or full discharges with great precision, the Hercules C-130 is a vital complement to the Boeing 737.

Its crew is the same that has operated in Chile on previous occasions, giving them extensive knowledge of our territory, geography, wildfires, and capabilities. They are also highly integrated into our wildfire control operations.

This aircraft was presented at the María Dolores Aerodrome in the commune of Los Ángeles, Biobío Region, and will enable rapid and effective responses to wildfires nationwide. Minister Esteban Valenzuela explained that it will remain stationed in the Biobío Region and is the second aircraft of its kind to combat wildfires during the current season.

Additionally, the State Secretary noted that this aircraft has "a capacity to discharge 15,000 liters of water or retardant and can significantly reduce its speed, allowing it to operate in complex terrains."

Rapid deployment

Likewise, CONAF's executive director, Aída Baldini, explained that this aircraft, "the Hercules C-130, is programmed to work across the entire country, though obviously in this zone where it may be most needed. Due to its speed, it can reach places like Magallanes very quickly. We have selected these two tanker aircraft, the Boeing and the C-130, to respond swiftly to any region in case of an emergency."

Furthermore, the director emphasized that "this season, we have intensified all efforts to better understand fire behavior. Therefore, the more we learn, the more efficient we will be. Currently, we have programs developed by CONAF professionals and specialists that allow us to provide immediate alerts to SENAPRED regarding any required evacuations, as well as to reinforce preventive measures based on fire probability and model fire behavior for combat operations."

Integrated work

For her part, the regional manager of Corma Biobío, Margarita Celis, added, "We have a fully integrated effort through an agreement with CONAF, where all resources are pooled, enabling a coordinated dispatch and control of wildfires with a single, unified response that can bring fires under control in just minutes. That’s the goal, but one of the main focuses is prevention—working with communities, municipalities, and conducting territorial outreach to ensure coordinated action on high-alert days to prevent wildfires from occurring."

Finally, the mayor of Los Ángeles, José Pérez, welcomed the arrival of the aircraft and stated, "We are fully committed to working alongside companies, CONAF, and all necessary stakeholders in the fight against wildfires—that’s why we’re here. And we will do so with all our enthusiasm and responsibility to prevent tragedies like those seen recently in some parts of the country."