California Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a significant expansion of the state's aerial firefighting capabilities with the deployment of its fourth C-130 Hercules (C-130H) airtanker and the establishment of its 11th Helitack base. Both critical resources will be stationed at the Ramona Airport in San Diego County, bolstering California's preparedness as a hotter, drier fire season begins.
The C-130H airtanker, part of California's pioneering fleet, is capable of dropping up to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant. This deployment marks the successful conversion of the fourth aircraft out of a planned statewide fleet of seven. Governor Newsom spearheaded the initiative for California to own and operate these aircraft, with President Joe Biden signing legislation in late 2023 to transfer ownership of seven C-130H aircraft from the Coast Guard to the state for retrofitting by CAL FIRE.
The new Helitack base at Ramona Airport will host a permanent CAL FIRE Helitack crew and a Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk helicopter, substantially upgrading regional and statewide rapid-response capacity. "The addition of this fourth C-130 Hercules airtanker to our world-class fleet, combined with the historic establishment of our 11th Helitack base, significantly enhances the rapid, aggressive response needed to save lives and protect our natural resources," Governor Newsom said. "California is making the investment into the key resources that help protect our communities from catastrophic wildfire."
CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler emphasized the human element behind these advancements. "This milestone is about much more than adding advanced aircraft to our fleet; it is a testament to the dedicated people who make our mission possible," said Chief Tyler. "The pilots, mechanics, and support crews working side-by-side behind the scenes have put in months of intensive preparation to stand up this base." The Ramona Air Attack Base, established in 1957, will now expand its permanent fleet to five aircraft, with additional training for crews, pilots, and technicians ongoing.
These additions are part of California's comprehensive wildfire strategy, which includes billions of dollars invested since 2021 in prevention, response, and recovery. The state has also expanded its workforce, adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually over the past five years, with plans to hire thousands more firefighters and natural resource professionals. This proactive approach contrasts with reported cuts to the U.S. Forest Service under the Trump administration. CAL FIRE urges residents to prepare by making evacuation plans and signing up for local emergency alerts.