Los Angeles County Fire Department officials showed off its newest fleet of leased vehicles Friday at Van Nuys Airport.

A pair of Bombardier CL-415s fresh from Québec constitute firefighters’ newest tool in the arsenal to fight brush fires, which have already burned more than 41,000 acres in the Santa Clarita Valley through this young fire season.

Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby were on hand, as well as pilots who were available to answer questions about the massive aircraft that are considered a “vital resource.”

The drought conditions in Southern California have been starting the fire season earlier and earlier, according to Fire Capt. Keith Mora.

The county is currently in the middle of a feasibility study, requested by Antonovich, that’s looking at a number of options for the funding of air support for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell.

“As we’ve been observing fire patterns, does it makes sense for use to have them 52 weeks a year, for 26 weeks, or should we buy them, or share a lease with another city?” said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell, referring to some of the options that will be looked at by the experts.

Antonovich requested the county report back next month regarding an update on the feasibility for adjusting the lease.

“They really are a vital resource, so the supervisor just wants to know whether our fire professionals want this more frequently,” Bell said, “and, if so, what would be the best way to go about doing that.”

The planes have a pricetag of about $37 million each, Bell said, and the county currently pays $41 million on a five-year lease for both planes.