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.
© Paul Dunn – www.globalaviationresource.com
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.
© Paul Dunn – www.globalaviationresource.com
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.
© Paul Dunn – www.globalaviationresource.com
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.
© Paul Dunn – www.globalaviationresource.com
By Monday evening, the fire had burned 1,500 acres, aided by strong winds and dry conditions, with the fight resuming on Tuesday morning.
