2 Super Scoopers ready to fight fires in SoCal

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two Super Scoopers on lease from Quebec are now in SoCal and ready to help battle wildfires.

The Super Scooper has been the most powerful firefighting weapon for the Los Angeles County Fire Department for more than 20 years.

The county just entered into a new contract with Quebec to lease the massive birds for five years on a seasonal basis.

With fire after fire cutting a destructive and tragic path through the county this year, officials say they need the massive water dropping aircraft.

Super Scoopers can dump up to 1,600 gallons of water per drop on a fire - that's three times more water than the county's firefighting helicopters can drop. Also, Super Scoopers do not have to land to refill.

Two Super Scoopers arrived to the Southland last week, three weeks earlier than usual.

Watch Leo Stallworth's full report on what these powerful water tankers can do in the clip above.