Inside look at the new airtanker base at the Colorado Springs Airport

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- According to officials, the Colorado Springs Airport is the prime location for the U.S. Forest Service to set up shop and base a new air tanker. There, the Forest Service can easily refuel the airtanker. The new airtanker base has already been put to good use.

At full capacity, the new base camp can pump out nearly 87,000 gallons of fire retardant per hour. The plan can then drop it anywhere within a 300-mile radius.

The airtankers drop fire retardant ahead of the fire, not on it, almost like a wall to slow the spread.

The base is a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Springs Airport.

Earlier this week, KRDO got a look at how crews are keeping Southern Colorado safe this summer. Watch the video above for the full story.