As fire activity increases across California, our McClellan Airtanker Base stands ready to respond. Home to the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world, CAL FIRE’s Aviation Program is a cornerstone of the state’s wildfire response. From airtankers to helicopters, these aerial resources provide rapid support to ground crews—slowing fire spread, protecting communities, and gaining the upper hand on fast-moving incidents. As conditions continue to intensify, the role our Aviation Progr

19K views · 332 reactions | While CAL FIRE helicopters now regularly flight night firefighting missions, we’re making history with our first-ever 24-hour helibase. State-of-the-art CAL FIRE, federal and local aircraft are working around the clock to protect our communities and build containment on the #LAFires. This is a game-changer, allowing us to operate continuously at a large scale - even after the sun goes down. #CALFIRE #WildfireResponse #24HourOps | CAL FIRE | Facebook

In this week’s #CALFIREClassic, we take you on a journey through time, exploring how CAL FIRE's aviation fleet has evolved from the past to the present. CAL FIRE's aircraft have played a crucial role in battling wildfires across California. The process of dropping retardant on fires involves precision and teamwork and starts with selecting the right type of aircraft for the specific fire conditions. Retardant, a fire-suppressing substance, is then loaded into the aircraft's tanks, which can hold