Cal Fire is bolstering its firefighting aircraft fleet across California for the second year in a row as a result of over $72 million in funding provided by the Newsom administration.
The investment has allowed Cal Fire to secure 24 additional firefighting aircraft, including 19 helicopters and five fixed-wing airplanes, for a contractual period of 90-120 days to enhance the statewide response to wildfires in California.
The additional fixed-wing aircraft include 3 large airtankers specifically designed to carry up to 4,000 gallons of retardant. These aircraft have been strategically located in communities across California and will be pre-positioned to meet the needs of potential fire activity throughout the state.
“The deployment of more aircraft dedicated to the people of California marks a historic milestone, with the highest number of firefighting aircraft ever available for initial attack in the state for the second consecutive year,” said Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler.
He added that “the significant rainfall California experienced this winter has led to a substantial increase of highly flammable fuels, which contribute to the rapid escalation of fires.”
Last week alone, Cal Fire responded to over 300 wildfires as temperatures continued to increase across the state.
Aircraft are initially prepositioned in the following counties: Butte, Tuolumne, San Diego, Tulare, Humboldt, Mariposa, Nevada, Siskiyou, Sacramento, Fresno, Shasta, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Placer, Lassen, Riverside and Sonoma.
Established in 1970, Cal Fire’s aviation program has grown to over 60 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, making it the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet worldwide. Aircraft respond to thousands of wildfires in California each year, dropping water and fire retardant.
In light of these efforts, the agency urged the public to refrain from operating drones over areas with fire activity. Drone operation hampers aerial firefighting capabilities and poses significant risks to lives, property, and natural resources.
