History in the Air: The First Aerial Retardant Drop in Washington

by Julia Babkina July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

Same type of airplane (different serial number) taken shortly after the first aerial fire retardant drop in Washington. The bottom of the tank was converted to a drop valve. Courtesy of Ray Kresek

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By Ray Kresek

Sixty-nine years ago, the Antoine Creek Fire was located about 1/10^th of a mile west of where Watch Duty is showing the origin of the Apple Acres Fire, north of Chelan. It was a late summer lightning strike in grass and sagebrush; a couple acres, just skunking around, behaving itself; a short walk from the road, and would’ve been soon forgotten, but for one thing.

As I pulled up to the Antoine road junction…