Military and civilian air assets scramble to stop California fires 

The huge fires devastating parts of Los Angeles, California, have prompted the activation of numerous air assets in order to try to contain the advance of the flames. 

A statement posted on the website of the Governor of California on January 9, 2025, mentioned that at least six air tankers and 31 helicopters are taking part in the operations. 

These include both military and civilian air assets belonging to local fire departments and law enforcement agencies, as well as contractors such as Coulson Aviation, which has deployed three Boeing CH-47 Chinook helitankers capable of carrying 3,000-gallon water tanks, plus a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. 

Other states have also announced they are sending their air assets to support the Californian firefighters. Arizona, for example, has sent two UH-60 helicopters equipped with water buckets, and Colorado is sending two Pilatus PC-12 aircraft specially equipped for real time fire mapping and coordination tasks.  

The California and Nevada national guards have also each activated two C-130 aircraft equipped adding Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) units. A MAFFS unit is a portable system for the delivery of fire-retardant liquids which can be fitted inside a military cargo aircraft when required, without the need for any structural modifications. 

The US Department of Defense has also announced the deployment of ten US Navy helicopters fitted with water buckets. 

Five Large Air Tankers from the U.S. Forest Service are also operating in Southern California. 

Since some of the most active fires are raging in the vicinity of heavily populated areas, there has been an almost constant stream of images and videos depicting these aerial firefighting efforts. The post Military and civilian air assets scramble to stop California fires  appeared first on AeroTime.

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