For the 30th year in a row, "Super Scooper" firefighting planes have arrived in Los Angeles County from Canada, an annual development that unofficially marks local firefighters' preparations for the region's peak fire season.
Now that the fire season in Quebec is winding down, the planes have made their southern migration to help with wildfires for at least the next 90 days.
Along with the planes, which are capable of scooping up 1,6000 gallons of water in 12 seconds, the Los Angeles County Fire Department on Thursday showed off some of the agency's other tools to fight flames from the air.
There are nearly 30 aircraft at the ready. So, just how busy is the fall wildfire season expected to be?
According to L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Maronne, heavy rains that fell this year, including those from tropical storm Hilary, have now created a "good news, bad news situation."