The Florida Division of Forestry’s reasons for acquiring one seem to support NickLappos who said, among other reasons, that:
Quote:
… the critical mass of water is one requirement, and the fire determines that. Dousing enough area to stop the fire from jumping the wet spot is a real issue.
The article mentions the reasons include the ability to drop large quantities of water in specific areas.
See:
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/...al/ST009.shtml