As if 2020 had not dealt the United States enough grief so far this year, a disastrous late summer wildfire season on the West Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington has scorched millions of acres and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Heroic ground crews are working numerous fires right now, saving structures and lives. Their work is being supported from the air by a large fleet of state-owned and contractor fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, providing critical Air Attack retardant and water drops with pinpoint accuracy.
Air Attack Support Proving Critical to Fighting West Coast Fires
Key Takeaways:
- The 2020 West Coast wildfire season was disastrous, burning millions of acres and destroying thousands of structures across California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Aerial firefighting (Air Attack) played a critical role in combating these fires, utilizing a diverse fleet of state-owned and contractor aircraft.
- California's CAL FIRE operates the world's largest department-owned aerial firefighting fleet, strategically deploying over 50 fixed-wing and rotorcraft assets.
- While Washington experienced a record year for aerial deployments, Oregon's air operations were significantly challenged and often grounded due to extreme smoke and poor air quality.
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