We were using this VLAT (Very Large Airtanker) to help support the crews on the ground. The airtanker can drop up to 11,000 gallons of retardant for a span up to a mile. At this moment the tanker used what is called a "split load". It dropped half it's load, and then came back around and dropped the second half to get even dispersal. It helps knock down the flames so the Hotshot crews could get in there and dig line around the fire down in the steep canyon the VLAT was dropping in.