CAL FIRE increases fleet for 2023 wildfire season
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has added 24 more aircraft to its fleet for this summer’s wildfire season
The aircraft – 19 helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft – will serve with the agency for a contractual period of between 90 and 120 days, dependent on the individual contract. The boost to the firefighting fleet is being supported by an additional $72 million in state funding.
The aircraft will be stationed across California, and have been pre-positioned to maximize their ability to respond to fire activity.
Counties where the new aircraft are based include Butte, Fresno, Humboldt, Lassen, Mariposa, Napa, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Tulare, and Tuolumne.
CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler stated: “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.”
CAL FIRE recently completed its annual wildland firefighting training in collaboration with the California Military Department (CMD) on 23 April 2023.