Fire tankers funded by Washington’s Department of Natural Resources began contract operations June 1, the official start of the fire watch season, and crews at the Mid-Columbia Regional Airport in Dallesport, above, worked through the logistics of loading the large single-engine tankers Wednesday afternoon. Four tankers and a helicopter with a ground crew, funded by DNR and Oregon Department of Forestry, will be based at the airport. At right, an “Air Boss” drops water.