SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington state is experiencing an early and aggressive fire season, with more than 2,500 acres burned since late May, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. That’s an area larger than the entire city of Deer Park.
While hundreds of firefighters work the ground, a Spokane-based aerial firefighting company is playing a critical role from above — and now teaming up with a local brewery to support the people doing that dangerous work.
Aeroflight, headquartered at Spokane International Airport, operates a fleet of nearly 20 aircraft that drop water and fire retardant on wildfires across the United States and Canada. When the Upriver fires broke out weeks ago, Aeroflight’s planes were already in the air.
“Aeroflight is an aerial firefighting company. When we had the Upriver fires a couple of weeks ago, our airplanes, based out of either Wenatchee or Moses Lake, were here working those fires,” said Chris Neimann, Aeroflight president.
The company’s strategy centers on speed — getting aircraft to a fire before it grows out of control.
“It’s trying to get ahold of a fire before it blows up into a mega fire. So getting water or retardant responding quickly to that fire to try and get it under control as quickly as possible,” Neimann said.
For Aeroflight’s crews, protecting the Spokane area carries personal meaning. Neimann said he has pulled over on High Drive on his commute home just to watch his company’s planes fighting fires in the valley below.
“It’s a job with a purpose. I drive up High Drive on my way home and I’ve pulled over to take a look and it’s our airplanes that are fighting fires somewhere in the Valley, and it means a lot to be able to participate and help. I think it means a lot to all of the employees,” Neimann said.
Now, Aeroflight is channeling that community commitment into a new partnership with No-Li Brewhouse. The Spokane brewery is launching its eighth annual “Fight Fire with Beer” program, and this year Aeroflight is on board — contributing $5,000 to get the fundraiser started.
“Huge program coming up — it’s our Fight Fire with Beer program, it’s our 8th year of doing this. We are partnering with Aeroflight aerial firefighting this year. They actually came to me three or four days ago and said they are going to be donating $5,000 to kick this thing off,” said Jack Bryant, No-Li Brewhouse marketing director.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wildland Firefighters Foundation, a nonprofit that provides relief and long-term support to firefighters and their families after tragedies on the front lines.
“They really go above and beyond being present when events happen, in a way that most organizations don’t do. It’s a very powerful organization and we are happy to be able to support it,” Neimann said.
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