Aerial firefighting is the use of
aircraft and other aerial resources to
combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include
fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing
aircraft, or rappelling from
helicopters. Chemicals used to fight fires may include water, water enhancers such as
foams and
gels, and specially formulated fire retardants.