CAL FIRE Expands Night Firefighting Capability to All 11 Helitack Bases: Three Crews Train at Night Nov. 4-6
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is holding specialized night operations training this week for three helitack crews — Kneeland and Bieber from Northern California and San Diego from Southern California — from November 4 to 6 at training areas near McClellan, outside Sacramento, and at Ramona Airport in San Diego County, California. With this training, night firefighting capability officially expands to all 11 CAL FIRE helitack crews statewide, standardizing night operations so crews can integrate seamlessly on nighttime assignments anywhere in the state.
Nighttime operations are demanding, CAL FIRE said. Training begins in the classroom with instruction on night vision, its limitations and crew coordination, followed by flight simulator exercises and nighttime flight training. During the exercises, crews use night vision goggles (NVG) for water drops and low-light navigation, building the coordination needed to operate safely and effectively after dark.
The milestone caps years of modernization in CAL FIRE's aviation program. In 2020, CAL FIRE introduced the S-70i HAWK helicopter, laying the groundwork for advanced night-vision operations. In 2025, a virtual reality air rescue hoist simulator entered service at the CAL FIRE Aviation Training Center, and by year's end six simulators were operational, covering the OV-10, S2T and C130H airtankers, the S70i helicopter and hoist air rescue. In May 2026, CAL FIRE added its 11th helitack base and completed the full transition from the UH-1H Huey to the CAL FIRE HAWK. In November 2026, night operations capability was achieved across all 11 bases.
CAL FIRE also advised residents near the training areas to expect helicopter activity during evening hours, concluding by 11:00 p.m., from Wednesday, November 4 through Friday, November 6. Training areas near McClellan include Mammoth Bar and Folsom Lake along with regional airports including Placerville, Georgetown, Grass Valley and Rio Vista. Areas around Ramona Airport in Southern California, including the San Vicente, El Capitan, Henshaw and Sutherland reservoirs, will also experience helicopter activity. All training flights are conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and CAL FIRE safety protocols, and the agency said it is committed to minimizing local disruptions.
Source: CAL FIRE
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：CAL FIRE直升机机组进行夜间作业训练（课堂夜视训练与停机坪集结）。CAL FIRE供图（摄影：Matt Woods）。 / Photo: CAL FIRE helitack crews during night operations training. Courtesy of CAL FIRE (photo by Matt Woods).
