CalFire adds powerful C-130 air tanker and helicopter to San Diego County base

New additions include a C-130 air tanker capable of carrying over 4,000 gallons of fire retardant and an S-70 helicopter that can transport 1,000 gallons of water.

RAMONA, Calif. — CalFire will soon add two powerful new aircraft to its Ramona Air Attack Base, significantly boosting the agency’s firefighting capabilities in San Diego County.

The new fleet additions include a C-130 air tanker capable of carrying over 4,000 gallons of fire retardant and an S-70 helicopter that can transport 1,000 gallons of water. The C-130 will more than triple the capacity of the base’s current air tankers, which hold about 1,200 gallons each.

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“Basically, I see it as a one-two punch,” said Oscar Sotelo from Cal Fire. “We get a vegetation fire in San Diego County, we just increase the aircraft in the area that can go out and help put out these fires.”

The converted military C-130 will serve as a state resource, moving as needed to respond to wildfires throughout California. CalFire currently operates seven C-130s statewide, with five in active service and two in reserve.

Sotelo explained the strategic advantages of each aircraft.”

A helicopter is [a] little bit more nimble, they can be a little more precise. C-130, we’re able to drop 4,000 gallons of fire retardant in one flight, right? It doesn’t have to go back and forth.”

The Ramona base, already Cal Fire’s southernmost air attack facility, is undergoing infrastructure improvements to accommodate the larger aircraft. Crews are reconstructing the aging tarmac and retardant loading systems with a new drive-through design that will allow faster, safer reloads.

“They were able to pour some new concrete and upgrade the reloading bays to allow for a pull-through method instead of a U-turn they used to do,” Sotelo said.

The C-130 is expected to arrive at the Ramona Air Attack Base by mid-June or early July, according to Cal Fire officials.

“We’re right there with them when it comes to these devastating fires, and we’re putting in the effort and the money to help put these fires out,” Sotelo said.