Cal Fire’s Ramona Air Attack Base to get an upgrade

RAMONA, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - When a wildfire breaks out, the fight from the air is key to saving time and lives.

This is why Cal Fire says planned improvements for the Ramona Air Attack Base are so important.

The Air Attack platform is sort of a command center in the sky, coordinating water and retardant drops. Soon, it will command a much bigger soldier: a C-130.

"So that that is going to be a game changer for not only us, for us here in San Diego, but for us regionally," said Captain Mike Cornette with Cal Fire.

Two S-2T air tankers have long called Ramona home. They hold 1,200 gallons of the pink retardant that slows the flames below.

"It's been the workhorse for Cal Fire for very many years, for a very long time," Captain Cornette shared.

But the C-130 holds 4,000 gallons. That alone is more than the entire weight of the smaller tanker, fully loaded.

This is the third C-130 added to Cal Fire's fleet. The first to be permanently stationed in Southern California.

"Our goal here is to keep fires, 95% of fires in ten acres or less," Cornette expressed.

$20 million are going to this effort which also includes revamping the tarmac, a construction project slated start August 1.

For the eight to 12 month project, tankers won't be able to reload in Ramona. They'll have to head to Riverside instead, but Cal Fire says the end result will make their response faster and all of us safer.

"It's very important. As soon as we can get these aircraft in and out of our airport, the faster they can deliver their retardant to the fire," Cornette spoke.

Twelve people are stationed at Ramona full-time, but the project includes funding for three more people in the C-130 flight crew along with additional mechanics and personnel as needed