State secures more firefighting aircraft to help battle wildfires
(Photo courtesy California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention; Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
State officials have secured 12 more firefighting aircraft in order to supplement its existing fleet of aerial firefighting vehicles, the Governor’s Office announced on Thursday.
Nine of the 12 aircraft procured this week were immediately deployed to wildfires burning in the state, including the Dixie Fire burning to the east of Chico.
“Climate change is the driving force behind the extreme weather we see across the globe, creating hotter, drier conditions in western states and contributing to unparalleled risk of catastrophic wildfire,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a prepared statement e-mailed to reporters on Thursday.
The aircraft will be put into use by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) and brings CAL FIRE’s total fleet to 60 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, the Governor’s Office said.
The recently-passed state budget includes more than $2 billion to help prevent and prepare for wildfires throughout California. As part of the budget, Solano County will receive nearly $2 million for wildfire mitigation programs, and could receive even more funds through so-called “budget trailer bills.”
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