Cal Fire opens a new air attack base in Hollister

With fire season just around the corner, Cal Fire is taking the next big step in being prepared. Cal Fire is starting to reopen the air attack bases.

It was a busy first day for the Cal Fire aircrew. Crews were sent out for a small fire in the Panoche area. The airstrike team is to help support the Cal Fire mission.

Chief Joshua Nettles says, “The goal of Cal Fire if you will is to get 95% of the fires, to keep them at 10 acres or less.”

This is where the aircrafts come in. They are able to make a fast attack on the fires and keep them from spreading. Chief Nettles says they can get anywhere in their response area within 20 minutes. Chief Joshua Nettles says, “We go north to Mount Diablo, just north of Livermore. We go south to King City. We go east to I5, and west to the ocean.”

When it comes to fighting fires, it’s all about teamwork. The airstrike team is in constant communication with the ground crews. PIO David Clark says, “and that way they can tell us what the best tactics are, also they can alert to us where they are going to be working in areas and dropping retardant.”

And while this year didn’t compare to last as far as rainfall, Chief Nettles says it’s still going to be tough year for Cal Fire. “Last year we had a lot of rain which gave us a lot of grass and a lot of fuels… and then it dried out and we had a pretty bad year. This year, not as much rain but we still have the grasses that grow, uhm that grew, and they are starting to dry out now. So, it’s going to be a tough year, just like and year. And that’s why we are here.”