Cal Fire has bolstered its aviation program with an additional 24 firefighting aircraft – that’s 19 helicopters and 5 airplanes that will be available on a contractual period of 90 to 120 days. CAL FIRE says in a press release that they hope that the aircraft – which have been strategically stationed around the golden state – will help meet the needs of potential fire activity and enhance their statewide response efforts if a wildfire is sparked.
Amongst the aircraft are 3 large airtankers capable of carrying 4,000 pounds of fire retardant – the almost iconic pinkish-orange slurry of chemicals that slows or stops flames from spreading.
Some of the aircraft are stationed nearby – with Riverside and San Diego county on the list of aircraft recipients. Other areas with high-risk of wildfire are counties up north like Shasta and Lassen counties, which both saw their share of wildfires in previous years.
CAL FIRE’s aviation program was established in 1970 and has grown to over 60 planes and helicopters in their efforts to protect California’s communities and natural landscapes, and CAL Fire says that these additional firefighting aircraft represent a significant step towards enhancing the state’s wildfire response capabilities.
