2 Super Scoopers head to LA three weeks ahead of schedule

MONTEREY PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two Super Scoopers will arrive in Los Angeles Saturday on lease from Quebec.

The large water tankers, which can carry up to 1,600 gallons of water, arrive about three weeks earlier than usual. They will be operational on Monday and will be stationed at the Los Angeles County Fire Department's tanker base at Van Nuys Airport.

The scoopers will be in Los Angeles for at least 90 days before being sent back to Quebec. But the Los Angeles County Fire Department will monitor fire activity and weather conditions and said it is very possible the leases could be extended.

Super Scoopers have not been purchased by the fire department because the chief said it is cheaper to lease them, but the county may consider buying the tankers because of the ongoing drought.

In July, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors awarded a five-year, multi-million dollar contract to Quebec's government to lease at least two of the air tankers during fire season.

In addition to leasing the tankers, the county owns eight firefighting helicopters.