Firefighters in California are currently dealing with a wildfire which has broken out in Riverside County. The fire was first reported on the morning of 5 August, in the Cleveland National Forest, close to Lake Elsinore.
Firefighting aircraft and helicopters quickly joined the battle to contain the blaze. Assets included five S-2T Turbo Trackers, operated by CAL FIRE. The Trackers operated from the base at Hemet-Ryan Field, with the two permanently based aircraft being joined by three others, including a pair from Ramona, near San Diego.
In addition, five helicopters were also in use, operating from bases closer to the fire. These included CAL FIRE’s UH-1s and an S-61 from Canadian operator Coulson Aircrane.
Late in the day, with the fire still not contained, a DC-10 tanker from 10 Tanker Air Carrier joined the efforts, operating from San Bernardino Airport.
By Monday evening, the fire had burned 1,500 acres, aided by strong winds and dry conditions, with the fight resuming on Tuesday morning.