The devastation in California

Cal Fire’s fleet of more than 60 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft make it the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world. These aircraft, pilots, and aviation support staff are located throughout the state at 14 air tanker bases, 10 Cal Fire helicopter bases, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s helitack base. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties are some of the worst fires Cal Fire has been called upon to defeat. Using Grumman S–2T airtankers, Bell UH–1H Super Huey helicopters, Sikorsky S–70i helicopters, North American OV–10 Bronco air tactical aircraft, and C–130 Hercules airtankers, Cal Fire has been dropping fire retardant and water on Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Altadena-Pasadena, and Malibu while coordinating the response to the fires in January 2025.

In addition to Cal Fire’s fire-fighting aircraft, the U.S. government and governments of Canada and Mexico sent firefighting support. British Columbia sent night vision helicopters and Quebec sent Canadair CL–415 “Super Scoopers,” one of which was hit by a drone in restricted airspace. The U.S. Navy sent helicopters from its San Diego base, Nevada and other states participated with the state National Guard, and the U.S. Forest Service deployed firefighters.

The FAA put a temporary stop to airport activities in the area, interrupting firefighting efforts; the Santa Ana winds, which were blamed for fueling the fires, gusted to 100 mph in some locations.

fire.ca.gov