2nd massive air tanker joins California firefighting fleet
California has officially added a second massive air tanker to its firefighting fleet, marking a significant expansion in the state’s wildfire suppression efforts just ahead of what is expected to be a drier-than-average summer.
The latest C-130 Hercules air tanker will join the CAL FIRE aerial fleet, the second former U.S. Coast Guard cargo plane to be retrofitted for firefighting purposes.
“Adding a second C-130 aircraft to California’s aerial firefighting force today is a truly remarkable advancement in our state’s wildfire suppression capabilities,” said Matt Dias, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association. “The addition of this critical aircraft to the state’s wildfire suppression arsenal will save lives and property, and improve air quality.”
The aircraft can drop 4,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in under five seconds and fly up to 800 miles per deployment, officials said, and its speed, range and payload capacity make it the most capable aircraft in CAL FIRE’s entire fleet.
The state received its first of seven retrofitted C-130s in August 2024. That aircraft has gone on 90 missions since then, and has dropped more than 253,000 gallons of retardant, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The state completed the purchase of the aircraft in December 2023 after passage of the National Defense Authorization Act.
When all seven Hercules aircraft are retrofitted and ready for service, they’ll be strategically placed at CAL FIRE bases across the state to ensure they’re never too far from where they’re needed, providing not only wildfire suppression support, but assisting in search and rescue efforts and various emergency operations.
California has the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world, and the acquisition of these massive air tankers is the latest in the state’s efforts to prevent future disasters. This latest tool has become all the more important following recent Los Angeles County wildfires.
“One of the most devastating and deadly wildfires in our state just a few months ago only underscores the urgency of this moment and the urgency of continuing to make additional progress,” Newsom said.
To view more detailed information about the C-130 Hercules, click here.