Overview

• Governor Gavin Newsom announced on July 31 that Cal Fire received the final two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters, bringing its dedicated fleet to 16.
• Each Firehawk carries a 1,000-gallon water tank, night vision systems, a fixed external hoist and space for a nine-member crew to support 24/7 aerial suppression.
• Cal Fire now operates the world’s largest fleet of purpose-built Firehawk helicopters with deployments across more than a dozen counties.
• Newsom criticized recent cuts to the U.S. Forest Service budget and highlighted California’s proactive investments in its own aerial firefighting capabilities.
• State officials are moving ahead with plans to add five C-130H Hercules airtankers to further bolster the state’s wildfire response.