California firefighters unveil helitankers, will use to fight wildfires
ROSEMEAD, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - High-tech helitankers will be taking to the skies this wildfire season in Southern California.
Southern California Edison announced a new contract Monday with the "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF).
During peak wildfire season, the QRF will include three CH-47 Chinook Helitankers, which can each carry up to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant.
The helitankers are managed and leased by three departments:
- Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
- Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD).
- Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD).
"We are changing the way aerial firefighting is being done so much so that now the US Forest Service is considering contracting for large helitankers like the ones you see behind me to be operational not just during the day as they are now, but at night," said Chief Brian Fennesy of the OCFA.
