stop

I’m a pilot flying a DC-10 fire bomber to battle the LA fires. This is what I’ve seen — and this is what needs to stop.

Captain RK Smithley flies McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fire bombers for New Mexico-based 10Tanker.Smithley dropped red fire retardant over the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles.Mountainous terrain, winds, busy air traffic, and drones have complicated the mission.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Captain RK Smithley, a pilot…