Nighttime Aerial Fire Operations from CAL FIRE Grows

Pilots for CAL Fire's helicopters and a contracted helicopter began night training over the weekend as they prepared to add around-the-clock aerial operations to their wildland fire response arsenal. 

The agency wants their aviation program to continue fighting fires from the air overnight, as the state's wildfires continue to burn historical and devastating swaths of land each year.

Saturday night, pilots and crews for CAL FIRE's Fire Hawk and a CH47 helicopter from Coulson Aviation were involved in night aerial firefighting training at Lake Berryessa in Napa County.

"CAL FIRE's commitment to readiness requires operational specific training," the agency said. "By conducting exercises at night, pilots and crews gain valuable experience in water dropping, navigation, communication and coordinated operations under night vision goggles (NVG). This training enhances their overall proficiency and ensures a unified, safe response during fire suppression at night."

As Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy wrote about the new 24/7 availability of aerial assets for Firehouse in the December 2021 issue, "The Quick Reaction Force program/operation isn’t high tech in terms of use of any new or unique emerging technology."

Fennessy added, "In the segment, I passionately stressed that the fire service must evolve immediately, adapt to the realities of this new wildfire era and leave behind its status quo way of doing things. Although the unintended outcome of the story might have resulted in widespread criticism and embarrassment for some, it will result more importantly in much-needed positive change. That said, this isn’t an endorsement for, nor an argument in favor of, the end justifying the means."