If you are not FAA certified/rated single engine, multi-engine, or have a rotor certification (helicopter) right now, you are done before ever submitting an application.
In addition to the certification requirements, you will usually need thousands of hours of flight time/stick time prior to filing that application. Former military pilots usually fit the requirements without problem.
I suggest you speak with the pilots with fire agencies that staff aircraft year round. The US Forest Service and CDF&FP are two examples of agencies that contract with either individual pilots or privately-owned air tanker organizations for seasonal services. (Aero Union and Erickson Sky Crane for example).
Three things to remember:

1. Water tenders have wheels and it is not good when
those wheels leave the ground.
2. Tankers have wings
3. Pilots are fire fighters too.

Best wishes
This message was edited by tomdeltazulu on 10-18-04 @ 7:15 AM